Baby Squirrel gets help....

Here is a cute video about being willing to help out and lend a helping hand. Check it out, you'll enjoy it.

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http://www.godvine.com/Baby-Squirrel-Gets-Help-from-an-Unlikely-Place-217.html

Truey...hooey? Something worth thinking about...

Pam’s Story
In a recent email, I read about a woman named Pam, who knows the pain of considering abortion. More than 24 years ago, she and her husband Bob were serving as missionaries to the Philippines and praying for a fifth child. Pam contracted amoebic dysentery, an infection of the intestine caused by a parasite found in contaminated food or drink. She went into a coma and was treated with strong antibiotics before they discovered she was pregnant.

Doctors urged her to abort the baby for her own safety and told her that the medicines had caused irreversible damage to her baby. She refused the abortion and cited her Christian faith as the reason for her hope that her son would be born without the devastating disabilities physicians predicted. Pam said the doctors didn't think of it as a life, they thought of it as a mass of fetal tissue.

While pregnant, Pam nearly lost their baby four times but refused to consider abortion. She recalled making a pledge to God with her husband: If you will give us a son, we’ll name him Timothy and we’ll make him a preacher.

Pam ultimately spent the last two months of her pregnancy in bed and eventually gave birth to a healthy baby boy August 14, 1987. Pam’s youngest son is indeed a preacher. He preaches in prisons, makes hospital visits, and serves with his father’s ministry in the Philippines. He also plays football. Pam’s son is Tim Tebow.

The University of Florida’s star quarterback became the first sophomore in history to win college football’s highest award, the Heisman Trophy. His current role as quarterback of the Denver Broncos has provided an incredible platform for Christian witness. As a result, he is being called The Mile-High Messiah.

Tim’s notoriety and the family’s inspiring story have given Pam numerous opportunities to speak on behalf of women’s centers across the country. Pam Tebow believes that every little baby you save matters. I pray her tribe will increase!
May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always!

Dr. Gerald B. (Jerry) Kieschnick
President Emeritus, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
Presidential Ambassador for Mission Advancement, Concordia University Texas

Solar Storm is going to hit the Earth...what to expect.

Strongest solar storm since 2005 hitting Earth - By SETH BORENSTEIN (Associated Press)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The sun is bombarding Earth with radiation from the biggest solar storm in more than six years with more to come from the fast-moving eruption. The solar flare occurred at about 11 p.m. EST Sunday and will hit Earth with three different effects at three different times. The biggest issue is radiation, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center in Colorado.

The radiation is mostly a concern for satellite disruptions and astronauts in space. It can cause communication problems for polar-traveling airplanes, said space weather center physicist Doug Biesecker.

Radiation from Sunday's flare arrived at Earth an hour later and will likely continue through Wednesday. Levels are considered strong but other storms have been more severe. There are two higher levels of radiation on NOAA's storm scale — severe and extreme — Biesecker said. Still, this storm is the strongest for radiation since May 2005. The radiation — in the form of protons — came flying out of the sun at 93 million miles per hour. "The whole volume of space between here and Jupiter is just filled with protons and you just don't get rid of them like that," Biesecker said. That's why the effects will stick around for a couple days.

NASA's flight surgeons and solar experts examined the solar flare's expected effects and decided that the six astronauts on the International Space Station do not have to do anything to protect themselves from the radiation, spokesman Rob Navias said.

A solar eruption is followed by a one-two-three punch, said Antti Pulkkinen, a physicist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland and Catholic University.

First comes electromagnetic radiation, followed by radiation in the form of protons. Then, finally the coronal mass ejection — that's the plasma from the sun itself — hits. Usually that travels at about 1 or 2 million miles per hour, but this storm is particularly speedy and is shooting out at 4 million miles per hour, Biesecker said. It's the plasma that causes much of the noticeable problems on Earth, such as electrical grid outages. In 1989, a solar storm caused a massive blackout in Quebec. It can also pull the northern lights further south. But this coronal mass ejection seems likely to be only moderate, with a chance for becoming strong, Biesecker said. The worst of the storm is likely to go north of Earth.

And unlike last October, when a freak solar storm caused auroras to be seen as far south as Alabama, the northern lights aren't likely to dip too far south this time, Biesecker said. Parts of New England, upstate New York, northern Michigan, Montana and the Pacific Northwest could see an aurora but not until Tuesday evening, he said.

For the past several years the sun had been quiet, almost too quiet. Part of that was the normal calm part of the sun's 11-year cycle of activity. Last year, scientists started to speculate that the sun was going into an unusually quiet cycle that seems to happen maybe once a century or so. Now that super-quiet cycle doesn't seem as likely, Biesecker said.

Scientists watching the sun with a new NASA satellite launched in 2010 — during the sun's quiet period — are excited. "We haven't had anything like this for a number of years," Pulkkinen said. "It's kind of special."

To read the article in full from it's source, please click on the link below:
http://news.yahoo.com/strongest-solar-storm-since-2005-hitting-earth-163628746.html

Natural Toxins - How to keep your pets safe.

Keep your pets safe from natural toxins - By Sarah D. Bunting / Pets

We've all heard the expression, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" -- unless you're a dog or cat, in which case a crunchy Golden Delicious can prove poisonous! Lots of "people food" and pretty plants can have harmful, even fatal effects on our furry friends. Keep them safe with this checklist of natural toxins; you might be surprised at what you find.

FOODS

Apples: All the non-meat parts of an apple -- the stem, leaves, and seeds -- contain cyanide, which is poisonous to animals and humans.

Avocado: Avocadoes contain persin, a toxic fatty-acid derivative that can cause gastrointestinal and respiratory distress, fluid around the heart, and even death. All species -- domesticated animals, cattle, even fish -- are susceptible, so keep the guac well out of reach of your pets.

Baby food containing onion or garlic: Baby food is often recommended for ill felines. Layla Morgan Wilde, a cat behavior guru and founder of the Annex Cat Rescue, notes that it's "excellent for cats that have lost their appetite, but check the ingredient labels first to make sure no onions lurk within."

Bread dough: Cindy Wenger, animal communicator, comments that "a little bit of bread dough can cause a big problem." Why? "A dog’s stomach creates the perfect warm environment to allow bread dough to do what it does best, and that’s rise," Wenger says. "Bread dough can quickly expand in a dog or cat’s stomach, causing it to distend beyond its capacity, cutting off its blood supply." On top of that, fermenting yeast can produce ethanol; once that's absorbed into the bloodstream, your pet may appear uncoordinated and disoriented. (Drunk, in other words. Not good.)

Chocolate: Large amounts cause stomach cramping and vomiting in dogs and cats. (Keep in mind too that, for a cat or small dog, a couple of mini Special Dark bars is a large amount relative to their size.)

Grapes/raisins: It's unclear how many grapes or raisins your pet would need to eat to cause kidney failure -- some sources think it could take as few as four -- but why risk it?

Mushrooms: All kinds -- not just the sketchy-looking ones in your back yard -- are poisonous to dogs.

Nuts: Macadamias and walnuts contain a toxin that affects the digestive and nervous systems of dogs, and could cause seizures.

Onions: In raw or cooked form, onions -- and their cousins, like chives and leeks -- are toxic to cats and dogs. They contain thiosulphate, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and shortness of breath in pets. What's worse, says pet expert Steven May of The Daily Growl, "Typically the symptoms won't show up for a day or two." May recommends taking your pet to the vet right away if you think she's eaten onions; better safe than sorry.

Sugar-free gum and mints: Sugar-free snacks and candy sometimes contain Xylitol, an artificial sweetener that's the enemy of your dog's liver.

PLANTS

Aloe: A wonderful topical treatment for humans, it's bad for cats and dogs.

Baby's breath: Also poisonous to cats and dogs. Keep bouquets out of pets' reach, or just pull this "filler flower" altogether before putting flowers in a vase.

Bulbs: Including tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths.

Carnations.

Chamomile: Toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

Grass: "But my dog/cat eats grass all the time! It's what dogs/cats do!" And usually it's fine -- unless, says Wilde, "it's sprayed with pesticides." Natural grass is okay, she says. But if you don't know what the lawn guy put on the grass, don't let your pets nibble it.

Hyacinths: Not just the bulbs; the rest of the plant is poisonous as well.

Hydrangea.

Lilies: Bruce Silverman, VMD of Chicago, IL deems lilies "probably the most common natural toxin I see ingested by cats." Lilies "are toxic to a cat's kidneys after a cat licks or chews on any part of the plant or flower," Silverman says, and the cat will need IV fluids and other professional care "to try to get the kidneys back into healthy condition."

Poinsettias: Now that the holidays are over, poinsettias pose less of a danger, but some folks do replant them outdoors.

OTHER OUTDOOR AGENTS

Insects: Often harmless, but Dr. Silverman relates a funny story about dogs and cicadas: "A few years ago half the dogs in the Chicago metro area went crazy scarfing down cicadas during their 13-year-cycle. Between the diarrhea and vomiting, and the twisted ankles from all the dogs jumping into the air to catch the cicadas mid-flight, the veterinary community had its hands full." The occasional moth shouldn't be a problem, but if your pet is snacking on a pile of bugs -- or you live in an area with poisonous spiders -- keep an eye on any bug snacking.

Rock salt: De-icing salt can cause burning and cracking to paws. If it gets stuck between your pet's toes and he licks his feet to work it loose, it could irritate his stomach. If your pets go outdoors (and cats generally shouldn't), add a quick paw rinse to your wintertime post-walk routine, and check the animal's feet to make sure uncomfortable boluses of salt or dirt haven't gotten trapped.
COFFEE, BOOZE, AND CIGARETTES

Alcohol: "Some people think it's cute or funny for a pet to drink, i.e. a beer, not realizing alcohol is toxic to both cats and dogs," Wilde says.

Caffeine: Could cause collapse and seizures, among other symptoms, in pets.

Nicotine: Smoking kills -- secondhand smoke is bad for pets, too -- and nicotine in any form, whether cigarettes, patches, or gum, can cause heart and respiratory failure in pets.
MEDICINES

Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, prescription drugs, and medications intended for use by humans should never be given to pets. Topical preparations for humans -- sunscreen; bug repellent; rubbing alcohol, e.g. -- should also be kept well out of their reach.

And drugs and medicines that are intended for your furry friends should be administered as directed. Do not borrow prescriptions from friends, or freelance the dosage; do as your vet advises, and if you aren't sure how to give a medication, call and ask.
SYMPTOMS TO WATCH FOR

Excessive thirst
Lethargy
Panting or shallow breathing
Seizures
Vomiting/diarrhea

If your pet doesn't display these symptoms, but you saw the cat nibbling a daffodil or the dog is behaving oddly after digging in the trash, don't take chances. Call your vet, an emergency-care clinic, or an animal poison-control hotline (here's the ASPCA's) right away.

To read the article in full by it's source, please visit the link below:
http://shine.yahoo.com/pets/keep-your-pets-safe-from-harmful-natural-toxins.html

Musicians and Bands - an article for you, worth checking out.

Article written by Dave Goldberg, a Jazz Musician.

AS I’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR GIGS LATELY, I’ve never seen so many free and low paying gigs. Well the economy is bad, so I can understand that a little bit. However, it is no longer good enough for the musician to be willing to perform for little compensation. Now we are expected to also be the venue’s promoter. The expectations are that the band will not only provide great music, but also bring lots of people to their venue. It is now the band’s responsibility to make this happen, not the clubowner. Just the other day, I was told by someone who owned a wine bar that they really liked our music and would love for us to play at their place. She then told me the gig paid $75 for a trio. Now $75 used to be bad money per person, let alone $75 for the whole band. It had to be a joke, right? No she was serious. But it didn’t end there. She then informed us we had to bring 25 people minimum.... Didn’t even offer us extra money if we brought 25 people. I would have laughed other than it’s not the first time I’ve gotten this proposal from club owners. But are there musicians really doing this? Yes. They are so desperate to play, they will do anything.

But lets think about this for a second and turn this around a little bit. What if I told the wine bar owner that I have a great band and we are going to play at my house. I need someone to provide and pour wine while we play. I can’t pay much, just $75 and you must bring at least 25 people, who are willing to pay a $10 cover charge at the door. Now, wouldn’t they look at you like you are crazy? "Why would I do that," they would ask? Well because it’s great exposure for you and your wine bar. The people there would see how well you pour wine and see how good your wine is. Then they would come out to your wine bar sometime. "But I brought all the people myself, I already know them," they would say. Well maybe you could make up some professional looking flyers, pass them out, and get people you don’t know to come on out. "But you are only paying me $75. How can I afford to make up flyers?" You see how absurd this sounds, but musicians do this all the time. If they didn’t, then the club owners wouldn’t even think of asking us to do it. So this sounds like a great deal for the club owners doesn’t it? They get a band and customers for that night, and have to pay very little, if anything.

But what they don’t realize is that this is NOT in their best interest. Running a restaurant, a club, a bar, is really hard. There is a lot at stake for the owner. You are trying to get loyal customers that will return because you are offering them something special. If you want great food, you hire a great chef. If you want great décor, you hire a great interior decorator. You expect these professionals to do their best at what you are hiring them to do. It needs to be the same with the band. You hire a great band and should expect great music. That should be the end of your expectations for the musicians. The music is another product for the venue to offer, no different from food or beverages. When a venue opens it’s doors, it has to market itself. The club owner can’t expect people to just walk in the door. This has to be handled in a professional way. Do you really want to leave something so important up to a musician? This is where the club owner needs to take over. It is their success or their failure on the line, not the musician. The musician can just move on to another venue.

I’ve played places where, for whatever reason, only a few people have walked in the door on a Saturday night. The club owner got mad at me, asking where are the people? I turned it around on him asking the same thing? Where are all the people? It’s Saturday night and your venue is empty. Doesn’t that concern you? What are you going to do about it? Usually their answer is to find another band with a larger following. This means the professional bands get run out of the joint in favor of whoever can bring in the most people.

Eddie Mechanic who has slaved all week fixing cars at the local dealership also plays guitar. Not very well, but he’s been practicing once a week with Doctor Drummer, Banker Bass Player, and Salesman Singer. Usually they just drink beer between rehearsing a few tunes in Eddie’s garage, but this week they answer a LA CLUB OWNERS craigslist ad and line up a big gig. Well, they don’t sound that good, but they sure all work with a lot of people everyday. All these people can be given a flyer on Monday and after being asked, "are youcoming to my gig?" everyday all week, will most likely show up on Saturday night. So mission accomplished, the club owner has packed his venue for one night.

But here’s where the club owner doesn’t get it. The crowd is following the band, not the venue. The next night you will have to start all over again. And the people  that  were  starting  to   follow  your  venue, are   now  turned off because you just made them listen to a bad band. The goal should be to build a fan base of the venue. To get people that will trust that you will have good music in there every night. Instead you’ve soiled    your    reputation for   a   quick    fix.   I think we, as musicians, need to fight back. Sure you can get mad about it, but that won’t do anything. We could all agree not to play those for the door gigs, but you know that isn’t going to happen. But what we can  do,  is explain to the club owner that it’s not   int heir  best  interest  to operate their business like this. There  is too  much at stake  for  them  not  to be truly invested  in  the music presented  in their venue.

**There is more to this article. To read the article in full from it's source, please click the link below:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/78468650/La-Club-Owners

Happy 2012

Happy New Year to everyone. Here we are in a new year and off to a new start. Have you looked over 2011 and found any aspects that you would like to change in 2012? What about new declarations? Some people want a new career and will look for a job change, some will go to school and finish up a degree or something left unfinished, some will start families and others will make some type of life changing decision like to get married, divorced, take a trip, move....the posibilities are endless. Some may start a diet or even just start to eat healthier.

Whatever your goal for 2012, here's to you! May it be a wonderful and prosperious year for all.

Brightest blessings!