Maikai

2012-01-03T14:48:00.000-06:00

The Kindling Pile

2011-12-08T15:59:00.001-06:00

I remember a time that I would take an axe to create kindling to start fires with. After a couple of years I came to the conclusion that using the small branches or sticks from the trees is a lot more effective.

This is the mail pile of the twigs and branches. When we cut down a tree I pile up the small limbs to come back latter to break into small pieces. This is somewhat time consuming but is easier than using an axe to break logs into kindling and I believe it works better. On the side porch we have two plastic trash cans that we fill with the kindling and paper to start fires. Their is no long distance walking to the wood pile area. I usually make another pile over their that is larger and last the winter. On the porch the paper and kindling are out of the rain and snow. It does not look very nice and will need to work on that but it works and makes it easy to get what you need especially early mornings rather than going to the main pile.

Zucchini Bread

2011-10-24T15:38:00.001-05:00

Zucchini Bread
Originally uploaded by Lakenvelder

test

Whipped Gelatin

2011-10-24T09:11:00.001-05:00

Whipped Gelatin
Originally uploaded by Lakenvelder

I used sugar free gelatin for this recipe. You can also use plain gelatin and juice make this recipe.

Make 4 cups

Ingredients:
1 package of (4 oz. serving) gelatin of your favorite flavor.

Make the gelatin according to the directions on the box.

Put the gelatin in the fridge for about 45 minutes. It should be as thick as unbeaten egg white. Take a beater or whisk to the jello until it is foamy and has doubled in size. Put back into fridge until firm.

Ozark Mule Days

2011-09-10T17:51:00.001-05:00

Ozark Mule Days, a set on Flickr.

This is where I went for Labor Day. It was nice to get a way for a weekend.

Trot

2011-08-28T20:22:00.001-05:00

Trot
Originally uploaded by Lakenvelder

We got a new member. She is a mule named Pheope

Being Prepared With lemons

2011-06-25T16:22:00.000-05:00

You know the old saying "If life gives you lemons make lemonade". Sometimes it makes sense to just be prepared for the unexpected. Here in Kansas you get a variety weather conditions that with send you into survival mode. Everyone one knows about tornado in Kansas if you have ever watched The Wizard of OZ. However, your house would most likely not make a soft landing somewhere but will be damage, if not destroyed, by the powerful wind. Another less know weather event that can wrench havoc on your lifestyle is the winter ice storms. You can be out of electricity for weeks as what happen in Kansas a couple of years ago. We though we were prepared for the most part and we were all right with food but water became the limiting factor. Without electricity to power the water pump on the well we were left with the little water we had. It was a few days worth.

As for food, I store a variety of food product such a Grocery store purchased canned food, using http://www.grandpappy.info/ as a reference, MRE's and freeze dried products such as found at http://beprepared.com/. I store my rice an other grains in the large pails with liners and Oxygen Absorbers to last longer.The reason I like Robert Wayne Atkins, P.E.web site is it is done with items you can obtain locally. However, the number 10 freeze dried food is a little easier to store and takes up less space. If you do plan to make a Food Supply for you or your family make sure it has variety because the same food can create Appetite Fatigue. Your mind will not want to eat the same food over and over again.

Be prepared and do not expect the Government to take care of you.

Lakenvelder's photostream

2011-04-18T20:20:00.001-05:00

Lakenvelder's photostream on Flickr.

Flockmaster Daybook

2010-11-07T19:26:00.006-06:00

Well today was Daylight Savings time. I hope you all remember to set you clocks back in the morning. I always have a hard time with the change and today was no different. I was very tired by 2:00 p.m. I did not get much done today. I must begin to transition my flock slowly to the post-daylight savings period.

Droper get to locker lamb weight at about 5 months. I plan to to breed for Holiday target marketing. 224 to 374 is the total day for breeding to sale date. I still do not have a ram but intend to find one as soon a possible. If I have it by this month and then can breed in December I should have lambs for next years Ramadan.

Barn Surprize

2010-07-14T09:16:00.001-05:00

Barn Surprize
Originally uploaded by Lakenvelder

New one here at Bois D'Arc.

10.06.12-13-BarcampNairobi-018

2010-06-24T15:55:00.001-05:00

10.06.12-13-BarcampNairobi-018
Originally uploaded by Jakub Górnicki

How about that! An address by IP address.

Food Crisis: What you can do now!

2010-05-23T17:57:00.003-05:00

With recent rise in food prices and the worlds food crisis now is the time learn some skills that could be useful in the future. Although I am really not concerned at this time for a food food shortage in the basic foods we will likely have to go without the the varieties of food products due to the sheer costs and not being available. To be able to have a great diet with variety I suggest you take action in three ways.

1) Learn to garden. Start small now and in the future make your garden larger. Start buying seeds now. Many seeds will last for years in kept refrigerated or in a cold place. You will have the best growing experience with hybrid seeds but It is good to have some seeds that are open-pollinated seeds or heirloom seeds that so you will be able to save seeds in the future. One benefit with saving seeds is you can develop land race plants with will tolerate your climate better that other varieties. If you can start planting fruit trees do so. In some area it can be difficult to grow many of the tress but check state/local sources of what will be best to plant. Discover the native fruit trees/shrubs/vines that grow in your area. I have already planted wild plums and elderberries on my land and have some mulberries growing. Already the plums are producing and growing new plants that I will be able to start planting elsewhere or give to others.

2) Learn to can, dry and store your food. Even if you are not able to produce all you want or need you may be able to barter or purchase fruit or vegetables that you do not want to got to waste. The Grand pappy information page has lots of articles and recipes. If you do not want to can or dry for you own family I suggest going to any of the many emergency supply companies or start stocking up on food your family enjoys eating.

3) Learn to cook. You can learn to make do and make great food if you learn to cook.

Moving day in the barn

2010-05-15T19:03:00.004-05:00

It was moving day for the Welsummer chicks. They went from the away room to the barn after preparing they brooder. The goslings were moved from the brooder to a small pen where we still have a heat lamp for them. Now I can get that away room a spring cleaning. I ended up having a rather productive day and got a lot of the barn cleaned up.

I spend some time taking pictures to for my photography class. I already had one lesson and have learned quite a bit.

Chickens and Geese

2010-05-13T18:47:00.003-05:00

I got the geese to the barn in my set up I have using a water trough. It works well and keeps them safe. I put heavy wood and weight on top but for the most part nothing large gets into the barn with the two guard dogs.

I will soon get the chickens out there. They are starting to get feathers and are getting crowed in the box I have them in.

I came up with plans to move the older hens and roosters into the orchards to be with the geese. We have a cement pad out there that used to be for a garage that I will build on. I plan to make it easy to clean and a safe place for the poultry at night. One part of the building will be a tool shed and a section in the back will hold the wood pile. I figured keeping the building to one for three uses will help keep the cost down.

Nobody’s Friend

2010-05-13T18:33:00.001-05:00

Nobody’s Friend

My name is Gossip.

I have no respect for justice.

I maim without killing.

I break hearts and ruin lives.

I am cunning and malicious and gather strength with age.

The more I am quoted the more I am believed.

My victims are helpless. They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no name and no face.

To track me down is impossible. The harder you try, the more elusive I become.

I am nobody’s friend.

Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same.

I topple governments and wreck marriages.

I ruin careers and cause sleepless nights, heartaches and indigestion. I make innocent people cry in their pillows.

Even my name hisses. I am called Gossip.

I make headlines and headaches.

Before you repeat a story, ask yourself:
Is it true?
Is it harmless?
Is it necessary?
If it isn’t, don’t repeat it.

~ Author Unknown

Outside Tasks

2010-03-28T15:47:00.004-05:00

The Drive way from a distance

After some sewing and going shopping for a few supplies I came home anticipating being able to work in the yard. The ground was still too wet to weed or till. I tried weeding my herb garden only to have to soil hold together in big clumps. I noticed all of the herbs are now beginning to grow. This garden should look a lot better than last year. All we accomplished was adding some more gravel/soil mix to the front of the driveway. It took a few loads to bring this much. Now I need to get a quote from the Gravel Guy to see about getting gravel for the driveway and carport.

Rocky watching

Chickens enjoying the warm day

Scratching the dug up area.

Whoa

2010-03-14T21:28:00.002-05:00

It is been a long time since I last added anything to this blog. I have started other blogs since then that are more focused. I am hoping to add more often to my gardening blog when the garden the garden starts to have more activity.

I am waiting for it to get warm around here.

It's 2010 and my Bucket list

2010-01-02T11:33:00.003-06:00

My dear mother started talking about her going to Death Valley and it being on her bucket list. That got me to thinking. I have ideas in my head of what I would like to do before I “kick the bucket” but I had never written it down. So the other day I just did that. It was not as easy as it sounded because some of the ideas seemed so trivial but really that is the point to creating one. You will just put off even a place in your local area that you plan to go see or do but keep putting it off. S o what did I come up with? Some of the ideas are very doable but others with take a planning and saving to achieve.

1.Take a mule down the Grand Canyon.
2.Walk/see the Great Wall of China.
3.Write a book.
4.Visit Italy.
5.Go as a volunteer to another country.
6.White water raft in Colorado and Grand Canyon.
7.Learn to speak Hawaiian.
8.Learn to speak Dutch fluently.
9.Visit Machu Picchu.
10.Go to the Burning Man Festival.
11.Visit India.
12.Buy my own horse, mule, and donkey.
13.Get a small herd of sheep to raise (Soay or other easy hair breed).
14.Design a Joomla site for small farmers/ market gardeners in the area.
15.Learn to play ukulele.
16.Horseback ride on a beach.
17.Have a margarita on the Mexican Rivera.
18.Learn to drive (horses).
19.Take a Tai Chi class.
20.Take a yogi class.
21.Visit ancient 7 wonders of the world.
22.Go on a cruise.
23.Visit Hermitage museum in Russia.
24.Take an east coast road trip for Vermont to South Carolina.
25.Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef.
26.Explore Okefenokee Swamp and the Everglades.
27.Visit Easter Island
28.Ride on a dog sled.
29.Sleep in a castle. I have visited a lot of castles but have not stayed over night in one.
30.Visit Alaska
31.Learn and go cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
32.Make my house a beautiful place to visit and stay.
33.Go wine tasting in Sonoma, California.
34.Make a tree house
35.Build my dream home.
36.Sleep in a hammock
37.Build a horse barn.
38.Ride the Amtrak's Empire Builder.
39.Ride the Amtrak Downeaster.
40.Ride the Polar Bear Express.
50.Ride Northern Mexico's Copper Canyon train.
51.Skate in a canal in Holland.
52.Tour Hearst Castle
53.Write a magazine article.
54.Walk were Jesus walked in Israel and Jerusalem.
55.Visit Machu Picchu in Peru.
56.Write a cookbook
57.Visit Bellingwolde and Winschoten, Netherlands.
58.Go snorkeling in Florida, Hawaii and Great Barrier Reef.
59.Go to the Four Corners.This is the only place in the United States where four states intersect at one point
60.Stand of the Continental divide of the Americas.
61.Visit all of the channel Islands: San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara, San Clemente, San Nicolas, Santa Catalina. I have only been on a boat around Anacapa so far.
62.Go to the Oktoberfest in Germany.
63.Go to the Oberammergau Passion Play, Germany
64.See all of the National Parks. So far I have been to Lassen, redwoods, sequoia, Yellowstone, zion, badlands, Bryce, canyon lands, Carlsbad, channel island, crater, grand canyon, great smoky mountains, volcanoes, Joshua trees, Petrified forest,

I am sure I will come up with other must see and do things but so far this is it. I have been lucky to see and do a lot in my life so far.

We Had Him by Maya Angelou

2009-07-07T13:57:00.001-05:00

Beloveds, now we know that we know nothing
Now that our bright and shining star can slip away from our fingertips like a puff of summer wind
Without notice, our dear love can escape our doting embrace
Sing our songs among the stars and and walk our dances across the face of the moon
In the instant we learn that Michael is gone we know nothing
No clocks can tell our time and no oceans can rush our tides
With the abrupt absence of our treasure
Though we our many, each of us is achingly alone
Piercingly alone
Only when we confess our confusion can we remember that he was a gift to us and we did have him
He came to us from the Creator, trailing creativity in abundance
Despite the anguish of life he was sheathed in mother love and family love and survived and did not more than that
He thrived with passion and compassion, humor and style
We had him
Whether we knew who he was or did not know, he was our's and we were his
We had him
Beautiful, delighting our eyes
He raked his hat slant over his brow and took a pose on his toes for all of us and we laughed and stomped our feet for him
We were enchanted with his passion because he held nothing
He gave us all he had been given
Today in Tokyo, beneath the Eiffel Tower, in Ghana's Blackstar Square, in Johannesburg, in Pittsburgh, in Birmingham, Alabama and Birmingham England, we are missing Michael Jackson
But we do know that we had him
And we are the world.

To those who are married, ... Not married .. and soon to be married.

2009-06-15T08:48:00.002-05:00

Sent to me via email and I wanted to share this with others.

To those who are married, ... Not married .. and soon to be married.

MARRIAGE

When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I've got something to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes. Suddenly I didn't know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking. I want a divorce. I raised the topic calmly. She didn't seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, why? I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, you are not a man!

That night, we didn't talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to Dew. I didn't love her anymore. I just pitied her! With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company. She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Dew so dearly.

Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now. The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I didn't have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Dew. When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again. In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn't want anything from me, but needed a month's notice before the divorce. She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month's time and she didn't want to disrupt him with our broken marriage.

This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day. She requested that everyday for the month's duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request. I told Dew about my wife's divorce conditions.. ... She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce, she said scornfully.

My wife and I hadn't had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mummy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; don't tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work.. I drove alone to the office. On the second day, both of us acted much more easily.. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn't looked at this woman carefully for a long time.. I realized she was not young any mo re. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her.

On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me. On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn't tell Dew about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger. She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one... Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily. Suddenly it hit me... she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head. Our son came in at the moment and sai d, Dad, it's time to carry mum out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day. But her much lighter weight made me sad.

On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn't noticed that our life lacked intimacy.. I drove to office.... jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind... I walked upstairs. Dew opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Dew, I do not want the divorce anymore. She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead. Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Dew, I said, I won't divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn't value the details of our lives, not because we didn't love each other any more. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart. Dew seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away.

At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote, I'll carry you out every morning until death do us apart. That evening I arrived home, flowers in my hands, a smile on my face, I run up stairs, only to find my wife in the bed - dead.

The small details of your lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money in the bank, blah..blah.. blah. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves. So find time to be your spouse's friend and do those little things for each other that build intimacy.. Do have a real happy marriage! If you don't share this, nothing will happen to you...

If you do, you just might save a marriage..

Shelves for Fridge

2009-06-14T16:50:00.002-05:00

Shelves for Fridge
Originally uploaded by Lakenvelder

The shelves that came with the refrigerator were made of plastic and just were started cracking. A check online reveiled the repalcement cost of $74.00 USD each and that is not counting shipping. So a trip to home depot and a few cuts in shelving used for pantry here we are. Not as practical since I lost the produce bins but it will do for now. Buyer Beware: DO NOT buy refrigerator with plastic shelves make sure they are using metal on the frames. I notice when looking at refrigerators they all seemed to have gone away from this.

Reads

2009-05-24T13:00:00.007-05:00

I am on challenge myself to read 50 books this year. So far I have been a bit behind in reading this amount since this is about 1 book per week. This week I have been able to read a number of books. You can go to my profile at librarything.com to see reviews of these books and others that I have read.

Changing your email address on you blog.

2009-05-11T10:23:00.005-05:00

I just had a problem with an my email being used for spam and need to delete the email since there was no other way to stop them. I was not able to figure out a solution on my own and blogger was no help. I found this bog which helped me although I had to figure out a couple of steps. This might be from changes made since the blog was made over a year ago. http://bloggerbeefedup.blogspot.com/2008_01_01_archive.html I am now set up with another email address and hope it will not be taken over by the spammers again. Just be careful and do not delete your blog. I had to go and delete the whole profile since it still would not let me just delete the email.

HOW WOULD YOU FIX THE ECONOMY?

2009-04-04T13:56:00.002-05:00

I got this as an email so I I looked it up. So here is what a reader came up with.

This appeared in the St. Petersburg Times Newspaper.
The Business Section asked readers all week..... for ideas on "HOW WOULD YOU FIX THE ECONOMY?
This one was the best idea. I think this guy nailed it.

Dear Mr. President,
Patriotic retirement:
There's about 40 million people over 50 years old....... in the work force - pay them $1 million apiece severance with the following stipulations.
1) They leave their jobs. Forty million job openings - UNEMPLOYMENT FIXED
2) They buy NEW American cars. Forty million cars ordered - AUTO INDUSTRY FIXED.
3) They either buy a house or pay off their mortgage - HOUSING CRISIS FIXED.
Like I have been saying, they are bailing out the wrong people

Source: St Peterburg Times, February 8, 2009.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/article973953.ece

How to tell you have been married a long time

2009-01-10T16:41:00.000-06:00

How to tell you have been married a long time

" Three women friends, one in a casual relationship, one engaged to be
married and one a long-time wife, met for drinks after work. The
conversation eventually drifted towards how best to spice up their sex
lives. After much discussion, they decided to surprise their men by
engaging in some S&M role playing.

The following week they met up again to compare notes.

Sipping her drink, the single girl leered and said, 'Last Friday at the
end of the work day I went to my boyfriend's office wearing a leather
coat. When all the other people had left, I slipped out of it and all I
had on was a leather bodice, black stockings and stiletto heels. He was
so aroused that we made mad passionate love on his desk right then and
there!'

The engaged woman giggled and said, 'That's pretty much my story! When
my fiance got home last Friday, he found me waiting for him in a black
mask, leather bodice, black hose and stiletto pumps. He was so turned on
that we not only made love all night, he wants to move up our wedding
date!

The married woman put her glass down and said, 'I did a lot of planning.
I made arrangements for the kids to stay over at Grandma's. I took a
long scented-oil bath and then put on my best perfume. I slipped into a
tight leather bodice, a black garter belt, black stockings and six-inch
stilettos. I finished it off with a black mask, ready for action. When
my husband got home from work, he grabbed a beer and the remote, sat
down and yelled "Hey, Batman, what's for dinner?"

Tidying Up Art

2008-12-27T08:38:00.000-06:00

Thomas Jefferson quotes

2008-12-26T09:41:00.001-06:00

When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe .
Thomas Jefferson

The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.
Thomas Jefferson

It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.
Thomas Jefferson

I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
Thomas Jefferson

My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government. Thomas Jefferson

No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.
Thomas Jefferson

The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
Thomas Jefferson

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Thomas Jefferson

To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.
Thomas Jefferson

Very Interesting Quote

In light of the present financial crisis, it's interesting to read what Thomas Jefferson said in 1802:

'I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.'

Turkey looking for treat

2008-11-27T13:05:00.001-06:00

Turkey looking for treat
Originally uploaded by Lakenvelder

Overdrawn!

2008-11-27T10:07:00.000-06:00

Overdrawn! The Movie Trailer

Back to the basics: Tickler File

2008-11-11T20:49:00.002-06:00

Worked on a tickler file this evening to have a better reminder system and method to have the documents available at a particular date in the future when I need them. I am planning to use this with my day timer.
This system was developed a long time ago so it is really nothing new. It just sometimes simple ideas are the best. Below are two sites that explain the system.

Tickler File

How to Make and Use a Tickler File System

House Cleaning & Property Care

2008-11-05T18:58:00.007-06:00

I am a list freak I will admit. I found I can get more done by doing lists so I put together a list using excel for an idea I got from another website. I just do not have a house but also a barn and a a small garden shed and seven acres. I have already added the barn and property chores but later may create another list just for them. Then I think I will make a shopping list.

House Cleaning and Farm Checklist

Get your own at Scribd or explore others: Home

Cat and Dog Friendly House

2008-10-25T10:08:00.003-05:00

This take house design to a new level. This Japanese builder makes homes that are friendly for dogs and or cats. I believe my dogs would love the place expect the bath/ grooming area.

Check out asahi-kasei.co. It is in Japanese but click around to look at the pictures.

Cost Averaging Stocks

2008-10-15T10:25:00.001-05:00

I decided to do a little research on this matter today. Up front it seems to make sense and if is what I do but mainly because I have only a limited amount of funds to purchase enough stocks at one time..

You are better off purchasing as much of a stock at one time and then keeping it since usually stock goes up.

Below are link to information about cost averaging in stocks.

Does Dollar Cost Averaging Work?

Dollar Cost Averaging Stock Strategy. InvestorGuide.com. WebFinance, Inc. http://www.investorguide.com/igu-article-967-stock-strategies-dollar-cost-averaging-stock-strategy.html (accessed: October 15, 2008).

Dollar Cost Averaging, http://www.efmoody.com/planning/dollarcost.html

How to Time Your Buys,
http://www.fool.com/personal-finance/general/2007/04/19/the-price-of-dollar-cost-averaging.aspx

Cost Averaging Stocks

2008-10-15T10:24:00.000-05:00

You Saving & Debt

2008-10-13T06:52:00.004-05:00

So now the bank saving rates or ;falling including ING as reported in Consumerism Commentary.

To get control of you debt this is one method called the Snowball effect. The Snowball calculator can help you with this. Generally speaking the Snowball method is paying off the debt with the highest interest rates first.

IF you are a desperate homeowner and one of those a firms offers you the chance to sell your home -- and rent it back. Think again! Read this A Dangerous Way To Get Out Of Debt.

Taking control of hobbies

2008-10-12T16:09:00.003-05:00

Hobbies can be expensive.

Even my poultry (chicken, ducks and geese) set me back around $40 dollars per month. I am thinking of cutting back by getting rid of the ducks. They are a pain to clean up after anyways but keeping my geese since I can use them for week control. I need to reduce my chickens and get rid of the many roosters I have since their is not way I will butcher them. I am thinking abut getting rid of my Dominics and just focusing on the Lakenvelders and Welsummers.

I have already gone back to reading more since I can always go to the library and check out books for free. I have some sewing projects and needlework projects to complete and plan to try to finish some during the winter months. They both can be rather expensive hobbies but at least a project take a while.

Other hobbies to focus on:

Cooking and baking

Digital Photography

I suppose blogging can be considered a hobby but with the price of internet service for us I would not really consider it inexpensive. I enjoy the internet and plan to teke more college classes so I will keep the service for now.

Yardwork

2008-08-16T13:34:00.002-05:00

I got this as an email and wanted to share it..........

I got home from my recent fire assignment on the Bridger-Teton NF (and still a little sleep deprived); anywat was talking to a friend of mine's young daughter, and she said she wanted to be President some day.

Both of her parents, liberal Democrats (of which there is a plethora hereabouts), were standing there.

So, I asked her: "If you were President what would be the first thing you would do?"

She replied: "I'd give houses to all the homeless people."

"Wow...what a worthy goal," I told her, "You don't have to wait until you're President to do that...

You can come over to my house and mow-nmulch, pull weeds & weed-whack, and sweep my yard, and I'll pay you $50. Then I'll take you over to the grocery store where the homeless guy around here hangs out, and you can give him the $50 to use toward a new house."

She thought that over for a few seconds while her Mom glared at me, then she looked me straight in the eye and asked, "Why doesn't the homeless guy come over and do the work, and you can just pay him the $50?"

And I said, "Welcome to the Republican Party."

Her folks still aren't talking to me.

How much caffeine does it take to kill you?

2008-08-08T21:01:00.000-05:00

It takes 75 cups of Coffee (Drip) Coffee to kill lisa.

Provided by match special Free Online Dating

Chapman Tornado

2008-06-14T22:42:00.003-05:00

Although I live very close to this town I was not affected by the tornado. These photos were sent to me.

Local Food at the Downtown Lawrence Farmers' Market

2008-06-01T09:11:00.003-05:00

The Lawrence Farmers' Market had a wonderful showcase of local meat available in the Lawrence, Kansas area. This is Kansas oldest established and most likely the best Farmers' Market in the state. Chef Hilary Brown did some demonstration of cooking locally produced lean meat. She has a fast food burger place in Lawrence called the Local Burger.

At the Local Burger you can try some burgers and hot dogs made from Buffalo (bison) to pork. This place is a little more expensive than your local fast food places since a burger will set you back $5.50 but you will know where the meat came from.

Victory garden has a page on food miles. Food miles is the distance food travels from its source to your market. Food miles is another calculation of the amount of energy needed to get the food to the market. Buying local and growing your own produce will reduce food miles. Even growing a potted container of tomatoes will reduce the food miles. I have not tried ContainerSeeds.com but they sell only seeds of plants that grow well in containers.

I just discovered a seed company called Harvest Moon that offers an interesting selection of seeds. I have bookmarked the website and will order some seeds later.

If you are looking for any of the Slow Food movement seed source Seed Savers Exchange has a list they offer. I did not grow the Bull Nose Bell Pepper but plan to next year.

BEAN: Cherokee Trail of Tears,
Christmas Lima, Hidatsa Red,
Hidatsa Shield Figure, Hutterite
Soup, Jacob’s Cattle.
Lina Cisco’s Bird Egg, Mayflower
and True Red Cranberry

GARLIC: Inchelium Red and
Lorz Italian
GROUND CHERRY: Aunt Molly’s

LETTUCE: Amish Deer Tongue,
Grandpa Admire’s, Speckled and
Tennis Ball (Black Seeded)

MELON: Crane

PEPPER: Bull Nose Large Bell,
Beaver Dam, Fish, Hinkelhatz,
Jimmy Nardello’s, Sheepnose
Pimento and Wenk’s Yellow Hot

POTATO: Ozette

SQUASH: Amish Pie, Boston
Marrow and Sibley

TOMATO: Amish Paste, Aunt
Ruby’s German Green, Brandywine
(Sudduth’s Strain), Cherokee
Purple, German Pink, and Red Fig

WATERMELON:
Moon & Stars (Cherokee Strain),
Moon & Stars (Yellow Fleshed),
Moon & Stars (Van Doren Strain)

Bike lanes and Walking Paths

2008-05-26T08:26:00.003-05:00

Lets face it! Cities in the United States were planned in the last few centuries with only cars as the source of transportaiton. This has led to cities being unsafe for bikers and pedestrians in many areas. So in most cities people who use them as their main means of transportation often do so at with major inconvenience and danger. There has been the only one city in the United States that has made in effort to plan for bikes. The small city of Davis, California has 65,000 people but over 100 miles of bike lanes and bike paths. Some of the path are by themselves. Their are bikes all over with maps and places to lock up your bike. Most city governments need to follow through with some of these ideas.

Having used bike lanes that are used by parked cars I believe the cities need to utilize lanes offered by places like the Netherlands. In the Netherlands in many areas contain Woonerf where pedestrians and cyclists have legal priority over autos.

Walkable Communties

Twin Cities on Two Wheels

Punctuation is powerful!

2008-05-09T11:27:00.001-05:00

A Proof of which Gender is Intelligent An English professor wrote the words: " A woman without her man is nothing" on the chalkboard and asked his students to punctuate it correctly.

All of the males in the class wrote : "A woman, without her man, is nothing."

All the females in the class wrote : "A woman: without her, man is nothing."

Punctuation is powerful!!

Bioprocessing Rice

2008-05-05T13:11:00.005-05:00

Kansas Officials Announce Agreement for Bioprocessing Facility in Junction City Facility for plant-made pharmaceuticals continues Kansas’ advancement in biotechnology.This is actually old needs and seems to have not made any noise in the employment desperate area of Kansas. This company was protested by rice farmers in both California or Missouri only to be catered to by the state of Kansas.

“Agriculture has long been the backbone of the Kansas economy, so it’s appropriate we would embrace this opportunity to make the most of scientific advances in plant-made pharmaceuticals,” said Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius in a statement. “I welcome Ventria Bio science to Kansas and look forward to their contributions to the health of children worldwide.” as quoted in the Ventria Bioscience website.

This Frankenstein farming make me nervous. At least rice in not grown in Kansas so mixing with others rice fields is not a concern.

Later this come from the web site. “This is as an important development for Kansas farmers, who stand to benefit from the additional income,” he said. “They also have the satisfaction of knowing they are helping provide affordable health care products to children who desperately need it.” When I see that affordable health care I will believe it.

Complaining about life!

2008-05-05T12:37:00.005-05:00

Complaining! Doesn't it seems to be a natural thing to do. It seems to be a habit that we all learn. Most of us start at a very young age. We learn to sulk and evolve into eye rolls and other forms of protests when life does not go as planned.

In Job 6:4 you will read, "Does the wild Ass bray when he has grass, or ox low over his fodder?" Wow! Does complaining serve a purpose. Really!

I suppose it is so easy to do. I just got on a plane to go to Californian from Kansas. I was a little excited because I got a window seat. This has not been possible when I flew in the past. I live to look and and see the earth at 40,000 feet. When we got in the air guess what I saw, Clouds! Only clouds! What a disappointment. As I was thinking to myself of my desire to complain Psalms 131:1-2 to my mind.

This week I am going to try to hold my tongue, I am going to work on redirecting my disappointments and grievances to the LORD this week and see if he doesn't listen and act on my behalf. Maybe I will be a better person to be around. Who wants to be a whiner anyways and who wants to be around one.

Elephant Paints Self-Portrait

2008-04-26T13:50:00.002-05:00

Elephant Paints Self-Portrait

I think he would rather be free in the forest.
www.maesaelephantcamp.com

Dead Deer with Graffiti

2008-04-26T13:13:00.003-05:00

http://www.theonion.com/content/from_print/dead_deer_by_side_of_road

I was reading a blog in a site called Progressive U which actually has some interesting writers sharing their views. After I read one blog I scrolled down to the comment section and someone had left this link. The link was to "The Onion". Now that is one interesting name. Looking at the name of the articles it seems to be an online version of some of those "rag" magazines you find while in line at the grocery store. You know the ones with tiles like "Two headed boy is really a Martian". One of the first thinks I noticed was this picture. What the heck! I really find it hard to believe that individuals or an individual with a spray can actually stopped to graffiti a dead deer on the side of the road. Now I have seen everything. How about these:

Posters of Naked Women Fail to Draw Real Naked Women to Dorm Room

Now here are some winners. HA! I am really shocked that the females at the local college did not. Now living in Kansas I have never heard of Bramp College so I did the google search and found NADA. So one false story, Hum, I wonder if such a fine e-rag would have any other Mistakes.

No guys I do not suggest trying this one.

Former President Carter To Be Tried For Peace Crimes

Satire? For heavens sake the man has enough problems with his family. Does any know if they still have Billy Beer?

Dang too bad they did not have this for World War II. Oh that is right I was not born yet.

Army Holds Annual 'Bring Your Daughter To War' Day

Photo found very cute

2008-04-20T15:51:00.001-05:00

Hen nesting with ........

2008-04-12T14:26:00.000-05:00

Faroe Island

2008-04-06T19:58:00.003-05:00

I received an email with pictures of Faroe island is really it is a small chain of islands. Rather interesting place that is located in the basically the middle of the ocean between Scotland and Iceland.

Going to Girlfriend

2008-04-05T20:03:00.000-05:00

A Girl is giving directions to her new boyfriend to get to her apartment.

She says: "You come to the front door of the apartment complex where I live and look for apartment 14A, and with your elbow push button 14A. Come inside and you'll find the elevator on the right. With your elbow hit 14. When you get out of the elevator you'll find my apartment on the left. With your elbow, hit my doorbell and I'll open the door for you"

The boyfriend says: "Dear, that sounds very easy to find, but why am I hitting all these buttons with my elbow?"

"Oh my God!! You're not coming empty-handed, are you?"

Puehse Twins

2008-04-02T20:02:00.001-05:00

The Puehse Twin are really good.

Scary Landing

2008-03-23T21:54:00.001-05:00

Wow, talk about a ROUGH Landing

Flavored Mashmallow Recipes

2008-03-23T15:59:00.004-05:00

I discovered a package of flavored marshmallows at the grocery store today and decided to purchase a package and come up with a couple of recipes that could utilize them. They have a fruity taste much like the taste of fruit loops or fruit candy. I sprinkled crumbs of ginger cookies I smashed in a bag on both recipes for contrast.

Fruity Tropical Salad

1/2 package of flavored marshmallows
1 can mandarin oranges, drained
1 can tropical fruit, drained
1 can diced, pineapple, drained
1 container of cool whip topping or around 1 1/2 cups whipped cream

Mix together and chill until ready to serve.

Banana and flavored marshmallow pudding

1 5 oz. package of vanilla pudding prepared
2 bananas, sliced
1/2 package of the flavored marshmallows

More Recipes I have found elsewhere>

Fruit Flavored Marshmallows Recipe

flavored marshmallow snacks

Olympic Boycott

2008-03-22T17:12:00.003-05:00

So now again there is a call to boycott the Olympics from the European Parliament.It seems they ruled out doing such an action. This has been done in the past and had little effect on the nations. Oh, yes I am sure the tourists from the boycotting countries will not show up but I am certain they will be replaced by individuals from the participating countries. It seems the only ones really effected are the athletes that have spent so much time and money with their quest to be the best.

Why do we have to make the Olympics a political statement? So I feel it you are really set to punish China for the violence in Tibet. Boycott China! Items of prices are kept low by starvation wages and less than humane conditions. The problem is that it hasn't been that easy to identify which products come from China. The sheer number of them will most likely surprise you. In the future maybe we should be all turning all potential purchases upside down or inside out. This is one story at FOREIGN POLICY with one family story about how difficult it really can be.

here are two websites I have found"

and the Responsible Shopper for suggestions of what and where to purchase items.

Painting Easter Eggs!

2008-03-22T13:30:00.000-05:00

The Duck and The Devil

2008-03-20T21:11:00.002-05:00

There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm.

He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods.

He Practiced in the woods, but he could never hit the target.

Getting A little discouraged, he headed back for dinner. As he was Walking back he saw Grandma's pet duck.

Just out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck Square in the head, and killed it. He was shocked and grieved.

In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile, only to see His sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.

After lunch the next day Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the Dishes." But Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in The kitchen." Then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?" So Johnny did the dishes.

Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go Fishing and Grandma said, "I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make Supper."

Sally just smiled and said," Well that's all right because Johnny told Me he wanted to help." She whispered again, "Remember the duck?" So Sally Went fishing and Johnny stayed to help.

After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's, He finally couldn't stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck.

Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug, and said, "Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long You would let Sally make a slave of you."

**********

Thought for the day and every day thereafter?

Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done... And the devil Keeps throwing it up in your face (lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad Habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, etc.) ....whatever it is....You need to know that God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing..... He has seen your whole life.

He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven.

He's just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave Of you.

The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness, He Not only forgives you, but He forgets . It is by God's grace and Mercy that we are saved.

Go ahead and make the difference in someone's life today. Share This with a friend and always remember : God is at the window.

Blind guy listens to echos to navigate

2008-03-19T21:11:00.001-05:00

E-Water -Paradise

2008-03-16T08:28:00.001-05:00

http://www.e-water.net/index_en.php

Volley-Surf-Soccer

2008-03-16T08:14:00.000-05:00

Not sure what you would call it but fun to watch.

Surfing Duck

2008-03-16T08:09:00.002-05:00

As I saw this I wondered if I could get one of my ducks to do this. Na, they will not even get that close to me. This is really a cute one.

Chocolate Covered Insects and more......

2008-03-05T19:38:00.002-06:00

I double dare ya to try some of this.......

Hotlix Candy Company

Hummer

2008-03-05T19:13:00.005-06:00

I received this as an email and had to share this hummer.
This is awesome HUMMER CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.

Karla Comfort received a lot of looks and even some salutes from
people when she drove from Benton, Ark., to Camp Pendleton, Calif.,
in her newly-painted, custom Hummer H3 March 2. The vehicle is
adorned with the likeness of her son, 20-year-old Lance Cpl. John M. Holmason,
and nine other Marines with F Company, 2nd Battalion,
7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division who where all killed by
the same improvised explosive device blast in Fallujah, Iraq, in
December..

For Karla Comfort, having the vehicle air brushed with the image of the 10 Marines
was a way to pay homag e to her hero and his fellow comrades who fell on Iraq's urban battlefield.

'I wanted to let people know (Marines) are doing their jobs honorably, and some
of them die,' said the 39-year-old from Portland , OR 'I don't want people to
forget the sacrifices that my son and the other Marines made.'

Leading up to her son's death, Karla Comfort had received several
letters from him prior to his return. He had been deployed for five
months, and Comfort 'worried everyday he was gone until she got
the letters and found out the date he was coming home,' she said.

Marines knocked on the front door of her home in Farmington ,
Mich. ,
at 3 am with the dreadful news.

'I let my guard down when I found out he was coming home,' she
said. 'There are times that I still cannot believe it happened. It's
very hard to deal with.'

Karla Comfort came up with the idea for the rolling memorial when
she and her two other sons attended John's funeral in Portland, Ore.

'I saw a Vietnam (War) memorial on a car, and I said to my son Josh,
'we should do something like that for John,' she recalled. 'He loved Hummers.'

She purchased the vehicle in January and immediately took it to AirbrushGuy & Co. in Benton , Ark. , where artist Robert Powell
went to work on changing the plain, black vehicle into a decorative, mobi le, art piece.

'I only had the vehicle for two days before we took it in,' she joked.

Two hundred and fifty man-hours later, Powell had completed the
vehicle. The custom job would have cost $25,000. Out of respect for
Karla Comfort's loss and the sacrifices the Marines made, AirbrushGuy
& Co. did it for free. Comfort only had to purchase the paint, which
cost $3,000.

'I love it,' she said. 'I'm really impressed with it, and I think John
would be happy with the vehicle. He would have a big smile on his
face because he loved Hummers.'

Karla Comfort gave Powell basic instructions on wha t to include in
the paint job. But in addition to the image of her son in Dress Blues
and the faces of the nine other Marines, there were several surprises.
'He put a lot more on than I expected,' she said. 'I think my favorite
part is the heaven scene.'

On the left side of the vehicle, a detail of Marines are depicted carry-
ing their fallen comrades through the clouds to their final resting
place. The American flag drapes across the hood, the words,
'Semper Fi' crown the front windshield and the spare tire cover
carries the same Eagle Globe and Anchor design that her son had tattooed on his back.

'All the support I have been getting is wonderful,' she said.

Karla Comfort decided to move back to her hometown of Portland,
and making the cross-country trip from Arkansas was a way for her
to share her son's story. It's also her way of coping with the loss.

'Along the way I got nothing but positive feedback from people,'
she said. 'What got to me was when people would salute the guys (Marines).
It's hard to look at his picture. I still cry and try to get
used to the idea, but it's hard to grasp the idea that he's really gone.'

World's Strongest Dad

2008-03-05T18:58:00.002-06:00

Not sure if he is the world's strongest day but this is impressive. What do you think?

Birthday Cake

2008-02-24T19:04:00.002-06:00

Birthday Cake
Originally uploaded by Lakenvelder

This was my cake. Oh, as I celebrated in the cold with snow although it was quickly melting how I would love to be on the beach.

Aromatherapy Cold Care

2008-02-20T18:23:00.002-06:00

This has been a long winter here in the Flint Hills and the flu and cold have been circulating. Here is a a cold care idea to help you feel better. It will help open the nose and soothes aching muscles. Of course, never apply the oils undiluted and without testing them first.

5 drops Eucalyptus
2 drops peppermint
2 drops lavender

Inhalant: add blend to simmer pot. Be careful to watch level.

Massage oil: add blend to 1/2 ounce base oil and massage into chest.

Bath: add oil directly to tub full of warm water.

Remember that you should always see a doctor for a proper medical diagnosis before pursuing any course of treatment.

Aromatherapy

2008-02-19T21:06:00.002-06:00

I have been using essential oils for quite a while but never heard of it used in a treatment center. I think it is really great.

Anti-Depressant Massage

3 drops bergamot
3 drops rosewood
3 drops lavender
2 drops rose otto

Add oil to 1/2 base oil and massage over the entire body,

Calming the Explosive Teen
A natural alternative to sedatives that calms the agitated teen—and kids think it's "cool" too.

By: Jeff Grossman

Psychology Today Online, 7 July 2006

Trained Bird

2008-02-06T06:39:00.000-06:00

This is the coolest bird in the world. It plays dead, basketball and even golfs.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3603976948239448044

Not the Brighest

2008-02-04T18:06:00.000-06:00

Sometimes you just got to wonder what people are think or not thinking.

Art

2008-02-03T18:05:00.000-06:00

This is a gem …Creature Comforts USA - Art

Skiing in Dubai

2008-02-03T17:59:00.000-06:00

Ski Dubai - These bloopers are hilarious

Garden Plan

2008-01-26T20:18:00.000-06:00

This is the drawing of the garden plan for 4 people of this years garden. I am using mostly rows that are 18" by 30" with the exception of two 18" by 40" rows.

Worls's Lowest Car or VERY THIN CAR

2008-01-26T20:04:00.000-06:00

This car called the "Flat Out" happens to be a modified Fiat 126.

World's Lowest Car Heads For Motor Show

2006 Andy Saunders Kustoms Flat Out

Gulag tourism

2008-01-24T19:15:00.000-06:00

Wow a bit strange! An adventure park offers a journey back to the Soviet Union with KGB interrogation methods and "beatings" with a leather belt.

Womens Only Buses

2008-01-24T18:58:00.000-06:00

Mexico city started having Women only buses to the delights of many females tired of getting harassed using public transportation.

Crystal Island

2008-01-23T19:50:00.000-06:00

This is a mega-building project has plans to build the one of the largest buildings on earth. In the building they have plans to have cultural, exhibition, performance areas, hotel, apartment, retail and office space, as well as an international school. It looks like it will be like a gated community of the ultra rich with all of the shopping and cultural needs within the confines of the structure.

More on the design can be found at the Foster + Partners website.

If You Want Happiness .................................

2008-01-23T19:32:00.000-06:00

Fluorescent Light diffusers,

2008-01-23T19:20:00.000-06:00

This is a neat idea. You can get the outdoor look with your fluorescent lighting using these panels.

Hummingbird babies growing up in the nest,

2008-01-22T19:46:00.000-06:00

Gumball Covered Humvee-Bonibonlu

2008-01-22T18:57:00.000-06:00

It took me a while to dig up information of this picture I got today. It was actually done in 2004 so it is not but it is being sent around. The piece, entitled Sugar-Coated, is meant as a social commentary.

How It All Became

2008-01-22T17:29:00.000-06:00

How it all became with ebay, amazon.com

Enjoy!!

Martin Luter King

2008-01-21T07:37:00.000-06:00

This is a tribute to him.

Biography

Macartney Serious Accident at Kitzbühl Dowhnill Race

2008-01-21T07:12:00.000-06:00

Cuche wins as Macartney crash mars Kitzbuehel downhill

Scott MaCartney

Train Snow Plow

2008-01-20T16:06:00.000-06:00

This is one way they clear the rails.

If you have an Ich>>>>

2008-01-20T15:57:00.000-06:00

The Air Car

2008-01-20T15:11:00.001-06:00

It looks like their is another way to reduce gas consumbion and esmissions using Compressed Air Technology(CAT) vehicles. the last 14 years Guy Negre form France has developed an engine that combines air with fuel. Tata Motors, a leading company in India and technology inventor, MDI of France, sign agreement that could start production of the cars very soon.They may be a little small for US markets right now but they are in the right direction and the cost may make it catch on especially since cars and fuel are so high now in the United States.

World's First Air-Powered Car: Zero Emissions by Next Summer

The Compressed Air Car

A new trend for Better or Worse: Camouflage Weddings

2008-01-20T13:32:00.000-06:00

I was looking for a black wedding gown. Not for me but since it is a new trend I wanted to view one. However, what normally happens is I get sidetracked on something else and this was it. When a camouflage gown and wedding came up I just had to look for one. You can get a camouflage gown and it does seems to be a rather popular trend. The bride usually wears a gown of camouflage or hunter orange fabric depending on the theme. I did not actually find an orange one, only a red one, but I did find the camouflage one. The link to the designer is the above gown link.

If you are interested in such a wedding the link belong has ideas for your cake, brides, groom, etc.

Elements of a Camouflage Wedding

Do not forget about the cake topper from Magic Mud

Seed Vegetable Garden Plan

2008-01-20T12:09:00.001-06:00

I have a simple calendar shown above I use for planning when to plant the seeds. This will give me ideal of the time to plant the seeds. If I plan them to transplant later for a quicker start I calculate the time I can plant. I use a simple Excel Spread sheet to keep track of when I need to plant and an idea when to expect the vegetables to be ready for harvest. I have found for me I need to have a plan so I can plan weekends according to the frost dates and other factors. Of course, the weather many times cause delays which was the case last year and by the time I got much of my garden planted it was already summer with the high heat associated with the season.

Seed Vegetable Garden Plan

l'Inconnue de la Seine

2008-01-19T20:40:00.000-06:00

If you have ever taken CPR you have most lilely had CPR Annie, Rususci Annie, or l'Inconnue de la Seine as you CPR dummy. The origin of this face comes for a young Parisian that was found it in the Seine as a possible suicide. Her identity was never found out but someone at the morgue d to produce a mask. This mask would become so popular that one time it would be mass produced.

For more information:

Influence and authenticity of
l'Inconnue de la Seine

CPR Annie

ou can see the death mask of L'inconnue de la Seine at The Museum of the Order of St John in London.

L’Inconnue de la Seine

Lotus Touts

2008-01-19T14:29:00.000-06:00

Let's do everyone a favor and stop this chain letter email. Break this Chain!SAMPLE CHAIN LETTER TEXT

Lotus Touts : You have 6 minutes

There's some mighty fine advice in these words, even if you're not superstitious. This Lotus Touts has been sent to you for good luck from the Anthony Robbins organization. It has been sent around the world ten times so far.

Do not keep this message.

The Lotus Touts must leave your hands in 6 MINUTES. Otherwise you will get a very unpleasant surprise. This is true, even if you are not superstitious, are agnostic or otherwise faith impaired.

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

FOUR. When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.

FIVE. When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye.

SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.

EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.

NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

TEN.. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.

TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.

THIRTEEN! .. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'

FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

FIFTEEN. Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze

SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.

TWENTY- ONE. Spend some time alone.

A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.
Do not keep this message .

END CHAIN LETTER TEXT

More sheep races

2008-01-18T19:11:00.000-06:00

Maybe this is what I need to set up in our sleepy little town to bring some excitement.

Sark Sheep Racing

What Old People Do For Fun!

2008-01-18T19:05:00.001-06:00

Study: Too Much Perfume Could Signal Depression

2008-01-18T17:52:00.000-06:00

Who what a study. Know who would study depression and scent. Humm.... Apparently in Israel a study was conduced that came up with the conclusion that females that wear too much perfume could be depressed. The study suggests that the females get desensitized with their scent. I would be interesting if there are other finding to suggest such a occurrence.

Study: Too Much Perfume Could Signal Depression

Face Your Pockets Project

2008-01-16T20:00:00.000-06:00

This is another one of those sites where everyone shows and tells what is in their bag. However, on this site it can be your pocket or bag, It does not seem to matter where you have your junk. It also has individuals scan the objects rather using a camera. As you may notice I have a large bag or tote for work with way too much stuff. I toss it aside on the weekend when I do not need my ID or name tags. I am fairly well prepared with this bag. I may need the umbrella after it snows but I never seem to use the handkerchiefs that I have an a zip lock bag. You were suppose to get your face in the scan but my hair fell in the way and I did not feel like doing it over.

Drain on the Mediterranean: rising water usage

2008-01-16T06:44:00.000-06:00

Turkey Lake Dries Up

Holy cow!!! Subject: Top this for a speeding ticket:

2008-01-16T06:12:00.000-06:00

Interesting story but I just looked it on Urban Legends they say it is false.

Holy cow!!! Subject: Top this for a speeding ticket:

Two California Highway Patrol Officers were conducting speeding enforcement on I-15, North of MCAS Miramar. One of the officers was using a hand held radar device to check speeding vehicles approaching near the crest of a hill.

The officers were suddenly surprised when the radar gun began reading
300 miles per hour. The officer attempted to reset the radar gun, but it would not reset and turned off. Just then a deafening roar over the treetops revealed that the radar had in fact locked onto a USMC F/A-18 Hornet which was engaged in a low flying exercise near the location. Back at the CHP Headquarters the Patrol Captain fired off a complaint to the USMC Base Commander. Back came a reply in true USMC style:

Thank you for the message, which allows us to complete the file on this incident. You may be interested to know that the tactical computer in the Hornet had detected the presence of, and subsequently locked onto your hostile radar equipment and automatically sent a jamming signal back to it. Furthermore, an air to ground missile aboard the fully armed aircraft had also automatically locked onto your equipment. Fortunately the Marine Pilot flying the Hornet recognized the situation for what it was, quickly responded to the missile system alert status and was able to override the automated defense system before the missile was launched and your hostile radar was destroyed. Thank you for your concerns.

UFO's in Texas

2008-01-15T17:06:00.000-06:00

Source: MrClean1982's photos Stealth Bomber on Flickr

When I first saw this I wondered how far Fort Hood was from this area. I was thinking weather balloon or maybe maybe some other gadget. I know one time sitting at Fort Ord and seeing this object come towards my sliding glass window and then up over the house. This was before the Iraq war and after seeing the smart bombs recorded there I wonder if that was what it was. We used to live by a Navy base and at times something would cause the windows to shake at times. The navy would report no air craft in the area. Later I found out the Navy had another type of missile that would flay over the terrain. They would shoot if from out in the ocean to the desert. A few times they would miss their target and land in the mountains. Later was the Stealth bomber in areas. So if you ask me I say it is the military

Dozens in Texas Town Report Seeing UFO

Multiple reports of UFO-like sightings in Texas town

Dozens in Texas town report seeing UFO

Bob Ross the Amazing Painter

2008-01-15T10:12:00.000-06:00

I came across this and I do not remember the last time I watched one of his amazing shows.

Bob Ross - Grandpa's Barn

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The Plague-Should We Be Worried?

2008-01-15T08:32:00.000-06:00

I was reading with interest a article of the threat of the plague. In 1665 it hit England very hard and killed around 100,000 individuals so it is not something to take lightly but it has been luring around the world for many years.

I still remember as a young child one of the little day trips taken by my parents to the are where ground squirrels had the plague. I do not remember seeing any dead or sick animals, just the parched soil or the upper desert of Southern California.

I think the plague is like anything in the world be aware but do not panic over the issue. My personal believe is that the pandemic flu is a greater threat since it travel person to person while the plague then to have the flea as a carrier.

Enemy of he State

2008-01-14T21:03:00.000-06:00

This Bangladeshi-born American named Hasan M. Elahi says he was listed on the terrorist watch list. So his reaction has been the development of a web page Tracking Transience that follows his movements so they will know where he is at all times when he is exhibiting his art work and attending conferences. When I went to his page it seemed to be on the 3th of Jan at an Airports till but maybe because he is changing servers there has been a stop.

I can understand a little his reasoning behind such a motive. I have only been investigated by the FBI because my name was very similar to a individual on a terrorist list list a long time before 9/11 and a couple of airport searches where I was pulled aside. However, I doubt I with do such a project.

http://elahi.rutgers.edu/

Noodles with Buttered Crumbs

2008-01-14T16:19:00.000-06:00

The Midwest grows a great deal of wheat so bread and noodles are an important part of the diet here.

The following is a recipe simple recipe for noodle and crackers. Party type crackers will the best results but you can use saltine., as I used in the the picture above.

3 quarts water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vegetable il
8 ounces thin or medium-wide noodles (about 5 cups)
12/3 cups butter
2 cups cracker crumbs
3 tablespoon minced fresh parley or coriander
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Optional;: 3.4 teaspoon poppy seeds

In a pot, bring the water to a boil over high heat, Add the noodles and cook until l a dente. Drain and add 1/3 cup of the butter to th noddle pot and melt over low heat. Return the drained noodles.

In a skillet, met the remaining 1/3 cup butter over medium heat and add the cracker crumbs, stir an toast until the crumbs begin to turn golden brown. Add the spices. Put the noodles in to a serving and sprinkle the crumbs over top. Sprinkle a little paprika over all.

Serves: 6