A Crime To Hang Laundry Outside?

I hung out my laundry today, as we've had a string of unsually warm weather for the month of November. I am reminded that other Pennsylvanians may not have the luxury of hanging their clothes outside. I take well advantage of nice sunny decently warm days to air dry my laundry outside! There is no better way to than to dry laundry than in the fresh air and natural sunlight!

Growing up in a poor family, I remember my own mother hanging clothes on the line. I always loved the smell of bed linens, taken straight off the line and put onto my bed. Have you ever wrapped yourself in a crisp bath towel dried outside? There is nothing fresher than laundry hung on the line!

With the whole world focused on everything GREEN, there is nothing more greener than hanging your Laundry OUTSIDE! The energy savings is none the less a great money saver, let alone the reduction of electrical usage and air emissions. I can't believe folks are actually being fined for stringing clotheslines.

Residents are complaining about seeing laundry on clotheslines. They need to get a LIFE and not worry about someone else's laundry! It a free country and we ALL have the right to hang our laundry out to dry if we desire. It's my yard and I'll hang my clothes out any time I wish! I never hang personal undergarments out, but all my other stuff is hung on clotheslines and will continue to be as long as I'm alive! Besides don't folks have anything else to do but gauk at the neighbors yard, on a beautiful sunshiny day? Go for a nice walk, even better yet walk your dog, or go for a nature hike!

Old fashioned ways are making a comeback, and hanging laundry is beneficial all around! When you see someone's laundry on clotheslines, consider the energy savings which this deep rooted tradition could be benefitting you!

My article is in response to: U.S. residents fight for the right to hang laundry

Adopt A Pet.com ~ Find Easy Online Pet Adoption!

If you're looking to adopt a new pet presently or sometime in the future, Adopt a Pet.com is a great place to start. Initailly you"ll be able to preview, screen, and shop for your pet online before even stepping into a shelter! I used an online service in my area to pick out my own cat OP. You"ll find adorable online photos and each unique pet story, which is an invaluable aid in choosing your new pet.

I've teamed up with Adopt Pet.com to bring more awareness to homeless pets, and their new online adoption services available across the nation. The website is very easy to navigate, and a cool feature I found they also list dogs in breed resue! Here are some excellent insights to this wonderful non-profit online pet adoption organization:

What is Adopt-a-Pet.com ?

Adopt-a-Pet.com is the world's largest non-profit pet adoption website. We are like an ad agency for shelters and shelter pets. Sadly there are 4 million healthy adoptable companion animals killed in shelters each year due to overcrowding. We do our best to relieve that problem and put pets from shelters in the homes of pet seekers all over the country.

Our website makes it easy for anyone with an internet connection to find profiles and pictures of adoptable animals by location, breed, gender, age, size, and color. Over 8,000 shelters posts pets on our website displaying over 125,000 pets available for adoption at any given time. We also help volunteers connect with shelters, and currently host over thousands of people listed in our volunteer database for shelters.

What Makes Adopt-a-Pet.com Unique:

- On our website, people can use something we call “Search Saver.” This feature will notify users by e-mail when a particular pet of their specifications in available for adoption. For example, I can tell “Search Saver” where I live, and what type of breed I am looking for. When that animal is available, I am notified the next time a pet matching my search is added on Adopt-a-Pet.com.

- As of this summer we have now made it easy for our visitors to find pets and then recommend them to friends and family via Facebook, Twitter and other social applications. We are calling the idea “Social Petworking.” Here is how it works; once you have searched and found a pet in need, on the pet details page simply hover over the button labeled “SHARE,” there you can send the pet details page to any of your friends. For more information visit this page http://www.adoptapet.com/socialpetworking/signup.

- In addition to dogs and cats, we now feature all kinds of pets for adoption, including rabbits, farm animals, ferrets, hamsters and other small animals, horses, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and even fish. This was a major initiative that took many months to research and program into the site, and it is being well-received within the shelter community.

- By teaming up with the renowned street-artist Shepard Fairey, who designed the iconic Obama "Hope" image, we have available a number of stylish ways to promote pet adoption. Shepard was able to translate his work with Obama to an image that can be used to represent pet adoption support. Merchandise can be found at http://www.muttslikeme.com/

- We have begun blogging and created a Twitter Page along with a Facebook Page. Our blog is located at http://blog.adoptapet.com/ there you can join our Facebook Group, or follow us on Twitter.

Blog Highlights:
Adopt-a-Pet.com has recently begun blogging, and every week we publish posts from two separate columns. On Tuesday we blog about pet care tips, and on Fridays we do our best to find heartwarming stories about adopted pets all over the country. Here are a few highlights from our blog:

10 Ways To Help Homeless Pet, Even If You Can’t Adopt
What To Ask Your Veterinarian
Good News In Pet Adoption – A Weekly Post
10 Things To Consider Before Adopting

I'm very impressed with the Adopt A Pet.com website. Thanks to Jeff Howard author of the blog adopt a pet.com for sending and allowing me to share with you vital information about their tremendous online pet adoption service. If we all work together, we may one day erradicate homeless pets, I'd love to live long enough to witness that day! If you're an animal lover like me, you'll want to adopt them all!

Interested in placing an Adopt A Pet.com link or banner on your blog or website you can find them here:

http://www.adoptapet.com/public/links/index.html

The shepard fairey one which I love and have on my sidebar can be found here:

http://muttslikeme.adoptapet.com/get_image/index.html

Literally in the Moment is a non-profit Arts and animal advocate website!

Casualties Of The Economy ~ Part I 2009 Vacation Series!

Constantly observant and in tune to my surroundings. I was very affected by the fact there were folks actually living in the 1st motel we were staying at on our way to Virginia Beach! Kings Dominion was like a halfway point to the beach, and a place my daughter simply had to check out! I’m not much of a rider, so I stayed back and relaxed by the motel pool. A pool is a must have when we stay at a motel, we love to swim any time of day or evening for that matter!

I befriended a upper middle aged couple, who had lost their home in Gloucester Virginia. They had been living in the motel since the beginning of May. Due to the turning economy they were unable to hang on to their home. They lost their cats, most of their belongings, and ultimately their humble abode! Stripped to one vehicle for transportation,the once music teacher was forced to find any job near the motel. I could tell they were good people, kind and surprisingly in decent spirits in spite of their dire situation.

A devastating sight to behold, for our America has always stood for the land of plenty. I wished them luck on their journey to reestablish a new real home! The home casualties are not limited to Virginia, but are on the doorstep of every city throughout the country. We only need to look out of our existing lives to be touched by the devastation!

We stayed at the motel for two days, and I left there very humbled! The fallen infrastructure of all businesses big and small, lost mortgages and family homes. Who will become the next casualty!

Eradicate Deficit And Extravagance On My Mind!

Why can't we just totally eradicate the Nationwide deficit, forget about budgets and bailouts! Put everyone back on a clean slate including big businesses and banks! Instead of becoming a goverment run country, where peoples feelings are put aside, and pride is only stuck in a sinking economy! Small businesses are dwindling every day and no one is bailing them out! Let everyone be debt free, that will certainly boost the economy! Government yearns folks to spend, but how can we spend when the cost of living is going through the roof!

Politicians promises change, why can't we start over where everyone is equal. Health coverage for everyone, not just the best coverage for the rich who can afford it! Deficits and budgets are falling on deaf ears. Sick and tired of the rhetorical hype, and watching everyone sink in the pit! The American dream is still alive, but put on stranglehold until the smoke clears, if the huge ominus cloud ever clears.

Our economy has taught us one thing, do not indulge in extravagance! Growing up with bare necessities, I sure learned the value of a buck. Remember our folks always told us "Save for a rainy day!" How much wisdom they held in their words, especially today! We learned to live with less, and spent less in the long run! I never missed the absence of material things, because I always had what I needed! A well implemented upbringing, will get you through the toughest of times! We can't blame the government for our own overspending!

I just keep thinking about the mess we're in, and embracing simplicity of old ideals just might give us the change we need to forge ahead. I'm not a politian, but it appears clear and commonsence After all it's not about how much you own, but honest inner integrity which makes you great and brings forth the most happiness! What do you believe in, what are your ideals?

P.S. Just finished emailing Pennsylvania Representavies on saving our parks here! May prove fruitless, but in turn may save a few! Anyone interested see Heads Up Pennsylvanians ~ Bill 850 To Close 35 Pennsylvania State Parks for addresses!

Heads Up Pennsylvanians ~ Bill 850 To Close 35 Pennsylvania State Parks!!

Laurel Mountain Hiking Trail taken Spring 2008!

The strong economic decline is not only hitting consumers hard , but will now affect our Pennsylvania State parks. Due to Senate Bill 850, 19 Million dollars will be cut from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources closing 35 of our Pennsylvania state parks, and 1,000 miles of state roads leading to them! We’ve 117 State Parks here in Pennsylvania, which means they could close nearly 1/3 of our State Parks by mid Summer 2009. Read full article here on the DCNR site!

Forests won’t be maintained against parasites which could eventually destroy them. This Bill could prevent preservation of our beautiful parks and forests for future generations! Another economic loss will filter down, with lost forest ranger jobs, forest maintenance jobs, and less clientele for restaurants and businesses which benefit from all the tourists who travel to enjoy our beautiful state parks and lakes!

I read through the grapevine that Laurel Mountain and Laurel Mountain Summit is slated to close! We hike the trail at least twice a year! We can’t let this happen folks, our region contains a multitude of awesome parks, lakes, and forest sites we must actively preserve! During these tough times many families can’t afford to spend a lot of money on vacations, and look to our natural outdoors for fun family entertainment.

State Parks and forests are the heart and pride of our Pennsylvania state and we need all of them! Many of our parks are free to visit.

I encourage all Pennsylvanians and tourists who wish to preserve the beautiful parks here in Pennsylvania join me to email and write our state representatives opposing the closing of all these parks. I was unable to retrieve the full list of possible park closings. Write to:

Governor Edward G. Rendell
225 Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Email ~ http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Governor/govmail.html

Senator Don White
Email ~ http://www.senatordonwhite.com/contact.htm

State Representative Mike Reese
Norvelt District Office
2230 Mount Pleasant Road
Mt. Pleasant, PA 15666
Email ~ Mreese@pahousegop.com

Related Articles:

Literally In The Moment ~ Keystone Lake Pennsylvania Photos
Post Gazette ~ Cutbacks put some state parks on shaky ground.
Ligonier Living ~ I'm stunned.
Literally In The Moment ~ Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail Excursion 2008.

Prohibition Regression In Economic Recession

Is the so called sin tax leading us back into the Prohibition era? The Price of tobacco has risen $1.00 a pack or $10.00 a carton. A of bottle of beer at a major concert event could run you $4.50 - $6.00. The drink tax has been debated numerous times with a proposed 10% increase. FACT ~ Friends Against Counterproductive Taxation, an organization against the drink tax wants to lower the tax to 0.5%. The drink tax last month in Allegheny county was 7%. Drinking and smoking may become a luxury of the rich. Are we not being taxed and governed to death? Will smoking and drinking eventually become illegal, and they're intending to raise taxes even more?

Congress proposes to raise 65 billion dollars within 10 years to fund coverage for uninsured children. The drink tax is funding mass transit here. Officials complain that hundreds of thousands of smokers die prematurely from smoking. Then why don't they put the extra tax into heathcare costs and smoking cessation programs for the SMOKERS? How about funding for lung cancer, or lung cancer prevention? Uninsured children are a problem, but why should smokers pick up the tab! The righteous must stand for something, and more often prey on the faults and sins of others! Smokers must dig deeper in an already slagging economy, or quit cold turkey. For the small tobacco retailers, business will get worse and theives could be on the rampage like back in the prohibition days. Folks forced to bootleg and grow their own smoking tobacco!

A reformed smoker of 4 years on Mother's day, I can say smoking was a very satisfying and addictive habit. I still miss smoking to this day! Loving something beyond myself, I didn't want my child to be the next generation becoming a slave to the nicotine habit. Scrounging around for change to buy a pack of smokes, paying a tax which breeds off of a persons addictive habit. I was a diehard smoker standing on the corners of buildings feeling like an idiot, on display like look at me "I'm a bad person," "I'm a a sinner!" Meanwhile folks who smoke and drink are some of the best people I know! It was my choice to quit but I know how hard that choice was, so I don't condemn others for their chioces! We're all going to die of something, some of us sooner than others. We can only make the right choices for ourselves and those we love!

I quit cold turkey, which is the hardest way to go! I'll compose another post in the future with tips on how I quit! Hey maybe you can trade those pack of smokes in for a beer even up?! The price of each is almost the same in some instances! What insane tax will they think of next!
My Black Rasberry Chambord pictured above is one of my favorite liquers.

Update Your Computer Against Conficker D !

The past week we've heard warnings about the Conficker D. worm virus, which could affect millions of computers worldwide possibly beginning April 1, 2009. Experts have been tracking the nasty worm since October 2008. Because the worm is so powerful in hijacking computers a $250.000 reward was offered by Microsoft back in February 2009, for information leading to the capture of the Conficker hackers! Computer experts are always trying to stay one step ahead!

They have identified four variants of the Conficker Worm A, B, C, and D.

Seven steps to protect your computer from viruses trojan worms, and spyware such as the Conficker:

1. Use a good Antivirus software. I use Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware.

2. I also use Webroot Spy Sweeper as a double whammy.

3. Be sure you're getting critical updates from microsoft. Go to tools and click on windows update to download the newest updates and patches!

4. Create a hardcopy backup of all your important files, program files, document files, and photo files ect.. My Webroot Spy Sweeper offers to do this online for me, but I'd rather make a hardcopy myself! You need to update this as often as you need to, depending on how much saved work you create!

5. Always be careful with emails don't open large file attachments, especially if you're not sure of the sender Don't Open The Email!

6. Be vigilant updating and running your software, daily, weekly, and monthly to protect your computer to the fullest compacity! My programs remind me, if a scan is not run! The protective software is no good if you don't stick with it! Remember hackers are out there constantly creating new viruses!

7. Pray you don't get a virus, trojan worm, or run out of memory! Like my daughter downloading millions of photos and all her songs to her ipod!

My new Windows Vista pretty much handles things in the backround automatically. My windows updates on a daily basis. But the experts are saying to update at least twice a day until the Conficker passes! Just in case they come up with new patches to the worm! I'm running my antivirus now as we speak to make sure my system is running smoothly.

I remember 9 years ago having a worm on my last computer, and it took me two months to get my programs back up and running! It was a nightmare! So far with all these products, my computer is well protected! Run all your protective programs and keep them updated at least daily until the virus issue passes!

If you have the Conficker worm you can remove and learn more about it on the Microsoft Site . You'll find a multitude of information there on any security issue you may have, and any New Security Information of interest!

I'm thankful for all the experts who fight daily to protect our computers. Many of us have become extremely dependent on our computers, for all our business and personal needs! Hopefully we'll all wake up on April fool's day without any computer headaches!

Christmas ~ A Time For Rejoicing! Pittsburgh Steeler & Economic Reflection!

Wishing you and yours the happiest holiday season! I wasn't sure when I started this blog which direction I wanted to go. I seem to be leaning toward my other passion too, animals. The past couple years have been very sad for our family, due to the death of my mother, my father-in-law, and my cat of 16 years passed away in my home shortly before last Christmas. Also lost some good friends from my pier group, passing away before their time! They are all guardian angels, watching over me!

My new cat OP above, I bought from a shelter shortly after New Years 2008 ,purchased with my Christmas money! He has brought much happiness into our lives, making my heart full again. OP is really a good cat, I need to only motion to him, and he will get down. He hasn't even climbed up into our Christmas tree, his first real Christmas in a permanent home. OP has been a joy to watch in all his innocence, and he's the true epitomy of love. Delilah is hanging in there with all her arthritus problems. I haven't been walking her too much, the days have been very cold here, yesterday almost 20 below zero windchill! Cold weather is very hard, on senior animals, especially to their joints. My Vet told me to limit her time outdoors when the weather is cold. My animals are kept indoors majority of the time anyway!

I also wanted to elaborate on the Titans treatment of the Terrible Towel. I felt their behavior was disrespectful and unprofessional. One thing the Pittsburgh Steelers have is a very huge-loyal fan base, which could make any rival team envious! These actions will not stop them either! It'll only make the fan base stronger! We don't need to stoop to such levels even when we lose! I did a special tribute to Myron Cope inventor of The Terrible Towel back in February 2008!

One question which is also on my mind is: What about small business bailout??? Another business closing that is hitting our area hard is Sony closing a plant in Westmoreland county! All these small businesses going down like flies, everywhere! KB Toys joins the ranks of bankruptcy! Our Ruby Tuesdays is closing! When is it going to end? My husband owns a small business, this is scary folks. Who will be next in line? It just kills me, and some of these businesses are not that small! They've been around for a long time! We'll have nowhere to shop or work pretty soon!

Sorry I just can't stand to turn on the news anymore to listen to another business going under! I sure hope things get better with the New Year!

We rented The Mummy~Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, missed it when it was in the theaters here. So we'll veg out at home and watch it tonight! I'm hoping to catch The Curious Case of Benjamin Button after Christmas! Thanks to all my blog friends, readers!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

Cool Browser Tester ~ Question For My Readers ~ Happy Veterans Day

I found a cool browser tester a couple months ago, which you can type in the url of your site, and view it in different standard window sizes. You can type the url address of your blog in there too, and see how other folks are viewing your blog site. Check It Out! Love It!

My questions to all my readers (even those who don't comment,) is what size monitor, and screen resolution do you use? I have a 19 inch flat screen monitor, and my resolution is 1360 x 765.

Mine isn't even listed in the standard sizes! I found my PassionsFlame site doesn't fit well in the standard size windows, so I'm thinking I may have to revamp everything!

My blog seems to fit in with the standard windows ok. Just wondering how you all see it! I seem to make things bigger pictures ect... because I've got the bigger screen monitor. I also read there are many more folks who use the 1024 x 768 size.

A day to appreciate our Vets, my father who has passed on, was a lifer in the U.S. Airforce, and served his country well. We honor the ultimate sacrafice of all our heroes who have served and are serving our country! They are the reason we are free to be!

Proposition 2 HAS PASSED! We Did It!!!!

Thanks to voters and animal activists everywhere for clinching the vote on Proposition 2. Factory animals will eventually be spared from living in cramped living quarters, and be able to move about more freely in their cages. Wayne Pacelle President of The Humane Society of the United States sponsored Propostion 2 as a part of his mission against inhumane animal conditions.

As an avid animal lover I'm elated to hear the news. We eat most of these animals, and they deserve to live their short lives in decent humane conditions. Modern times are a changing, for the better. I cannot honestly look at these animals living in factory farms, and not feel sorrow for their plight. It'll be an undertaking for the farmers, which to me are the heart of the world's foodchain. They'll be compensated for their new renovations, and they can also feel good about the ethical treatment of their animals.

Photo Credits: PETA ~ Vegan Outreach

Food Product Packaging Getting Chintzy! Tips For Saving A Buck!

Today I picked out a snack pack of Peanut M & M's from the treat bowl for our Trick or Treater's tonight, to find only five M & M"s. I've always had the notion you get what you pay for, but now you pay more and get much less! I have to say truthfully the other snack packs of M & M's contain a couple more between 7 & 8. The candy bars are now bite size, which takes only two bites to eat one!

Back in my day, we couldn't wait to get home Holloween night to count our stash of Hershey Bars. Our Halloween bags almost ripping or tearing from the weight of the precious cargo within. My two sisters and I would stretch our candy loot, covering most of the living room carpet. We usually ended up having about the same amount of Hershey bars! The average size of a Hershey bar then around 1.2 oz, running about 10 - 15 cents a bar! A 1.55 oz Hershey bar is running about 60 - 99 cents now, and the majority of Trick or Treaters are getting the snack size, which is at least a quarter of the big bar size! So now with the modern day snack size, the kids will need to hit another couple blocks of lighted houses to accumulate a nice stash!

Through the years I've become a devout dark chocolate fan, and at the top of my list is Lindt Dark Chocolate Truffles TO DIE FOR, with Dove dark chocolate coming in second! I guess the snack size is perfect for us weight consious parents. We don't feel too guilty munching on two bites of chocolate to relieve our chocolate fix!

Talk about food prices and packaging, I ran to the local supermarket as I always do every week for my small family. I see lettuce is up to $2.49, celery $3.49, chicken breasts going from 5lbs to 3bls per bag and rising at least $2.00 -$4.00 in price. The price of meat and fruit is sky high, I hope my husband gets a deer this season! Salad is a main course in my household, so these items are a must on my list! I know the price of things, so I've been forced out to other food outlets who are charging less for produce.

No more one stop shopping, I'm spreading my buck around to save a buck. You have to be careful even the dollar stores have higher prices on some items. I know what I buy, and I know the price, so I know first hand if I'm getting a deal or not. These days you have to be a smart comparison shopper. I do prefer to buy cuts of meat at my local supermaket, I just don't like all the meat recalls from other food chainstores. I stock up on every meat sale. Look at different ads from different food stores, and compare prices. I'll travel an extra couple miles for a bargain to stock up on an item! I also stock up on store brand name merchandise, which is sometimes half the price of brand name products.

As a consumer, I hate paying more, and getting less. Businesses are hurting and competing for our buck too. This is the reason I won't mention any names, we need all the businesses we can get. Otherwise we won't be able to comparison shop! Big and small businesses are what drive the economy. My husband has a small business which has been slow too. I've seen too many good companies fall, including one I worked for years ago, which is an internet only store now!

Every penny counts in our struggling economy! Gas in our area is down to $2.65. Should we be happy I'm not sure! They always find another reason for gas to go back up! We are learning valuable lessons on how to survive on less, and coming up with new and using old ideas to make our buck go even futher.

Talk about Loot ~ HAPPY HOLLOWEEN!

Autumn PA Destination ~Twin Lakes ~ A Whisker Walk!

Yesterday I met up with my two sisters and nephew, and we drove over to Twin Lakes. Our Humane Society was having their annual Whisker Walk, where canines and felines get all dressed up in Holloween costumes, and parade around the lakes. You can pay a fee to walk with your dog or cat, or get sponsors to sponsor you and your pet. One guy had $500.00 worth of sponsors, which was the highest amount. It was another great Fall day with the dry fallen leaves swirling and crunching beneath our feet. Dogs and cats and their human caregivers gathered at the lower lake, hanging in small groups very mindful of their own space. There were many different full blooded breeds, and mixed ones too! We found a spot right in the center of both lakes, where I took the photo left of the lower lake. You can see the brick walkway to the right where they walked up!

The upper lake was also very picturesque, with the clear water, huge rocks, and beautiful fall treelines. They have a wooden gazebo in the center too, in which the middle is cut out and you can see the fish swimming in the water. Both lakes are stocked with game fish, and many fisherman come here to fish year round. We could see the fish actually jumping up out of the water. The stone walkway goes all around the lakes! Many people walk their animals around the lake, and walk here in general. You can click on any photo in this post to see it enlarged!






I took a few shots of my favorite costumes, as the cuties went by. This is Mattie the Springer Spaniel, wearing a homemade Lion costume sewn by her owner! I'm always amazed at how creative people are. Isn't she just so cute! I think she should've won an award, but she didn't!









A robust boxer dressed in a green dragon costume! He did win a prize, for I think the most unique.

This cutie Labradoodle puppy was dressed as a orange M & M!
Adorable!

Of course the female black labrador retriever dressed as a cow stole my heart. The owner said she would lick me to death, which was exactly the personality my Sampson had. The cute mixed dog had on a shirt that said " I love mailmen," was age 14 like my Delilah. There was no way my Lab could do that long walk!

Sylvester the cat was dressed in a Harley Davidson biker outfit. Sylvester was a shelter cat, I'm sure he was at the same shelter as my OP cat! I never thought to bring him in a cage, the cat is safe from harm this way.

Last but not least was the Peace Bus, lead by two Dashunds, and inside was seated a Chihuahua dog! Awhhhhhhhhh! The sign said "Dashunds for Peace. Loved it! They won first prize for Best over All! All the dogs got special treats at the end! They were all so wonderful, and we enjoyed watching their parade, and the scenic view of the day. Life is too sweet not to enjoy every minute of it!
We're expecting our first snowflakes of the season tonight!

Pennsylvania Puppy Mill Dog Bill H.B. 2525 Is Now Law!!!

We are making great strides regulating Puppy Mills here in Pennsylvania. The signing of the H.B. 2525 Bill by Governor Rendell into law will help to protect these poor sweet animals from suffering at the hands of greedy puppy mill owners.

How excited I am to receive an email from Mike Markarian, Excutive Vice President of The Humane Society of the United States, informing me of the new law! The mass murder of 80 dogs helped bring the dog bill into priority focus, which my story appears here. Along with many animal lovers here in Pennsylvania, I know regulating Puppy Mills is a major step in the right direction. What is crazy to me is that these are full bred dogs, in which people are paying a lot of money for. If they only knew the conditions they come from!

I just wanted to highlight from Mike Markarian's email letter what changes the law will mandate as quoted here;

"Among other provisions, this legislation will double the minimum floor space for primary enclosures and prohibit the use of wire flooring for dogs over the age of 12 weeks. It requires that dogs have access to an exercise area twice the size of their primary enclosure, eliminates the stacking of dogs on top of each other in cages, and mandates veterinary visits at least every six months. While it's a modest step, and there are imperfections in the new law that will require continued vigilance, it will begin to curb the worst abuses of the puppy mill industry and send a message that man's best friend can no longer be treated like a cash crop."

A law all Pennsylvanians can be proud of! There are many more bills such a s Prop 2 Californians For Humane Farms, and others listed here and all through the Humane Society of the United States Site!

Remember don't buy from a dog pet store, and only buy from a reputable breeder. Your local shelter has many wonderful dogs and cats just waiting for your love!

If you supported the dog Bill which is now a LAW, Thank You! The Pennyslyvania Puppy Mill dogs will be forever grateful for your support, and on going support!

Attention Pennsylvania Dog Lovers! Help Pass H.B. 2525 Dog Bill Into Law!

H.B. 2524 has passed the House of Representatives and is headed for the State Senate! The law would put stricker standards upon commercial breeding kennels and puppy mills. Last month's shooting of 80 dogs at a Puppy Mill in Berks County Pennsylvania has given headway to the bill. The Puppy Mills owned by Elmer and son Ammon Zimmerman were being investigated for unfit cages, living conditions, and the dog inspectors wanted the dogs checked for flea infestations by a Veternarian. He and his son later shot all 80 dogs, to avoid being prosecuted.

We are allowed to shot our own dogs here in Pennsylvania, it's legal! But I'm sure the majority of Pennsylvanians are appalled at this mass dog murder destruction! They were bred in the Puppy Mill, and murdered there how horrible is that! No quality of life, no love, kisses or arms to hold them! I can't fathom a person can be so cruel without feeling. The laws need to be changed, and the laws can't come soon enough for these sweet innocent dogs! As a lifelong Pennsylvanian, I'm sad to know we are known as the Puppy Mill capital of the world. We need to change that perception, because there're so many, many animal lovers in Pennsylvania.

Here is what you can do:

1. Sign the Saving Puppies.com Petition, to stop Puppy Mill abuse.

2.Oprah has a link on her site: Urge Pennsylvania Legislators To Stop Puppy Mills. where we can write or email our Legislators here to vote for the H.B. 2525 bill.

3. Adopt a dog or cat from your local animal shelter, or trusted breeder!

4. Spread the word about Pennsylvania Puppy Mills, and Bill H.B. 2525!

5. Support your local Humane Society or The Humane Society of the United States.

Have you kissed and loved your animals today!

Photo Credit: The Humane Society of the United States.

Drill Here, Drill Now, Top 3 Videos~ Cast Your Vote! Gas Well To Take Over Wooded Area!

American Solutions has narrowed their contest video picks down to the top 3! They need your help to choose a winner! Loved all the top 3 videos. My favorite is: "It's Time To Drill," by Alfonso Rachel below. I'm not much into rap, but I do like these guys. I think they have a catchy tune, and really speak for the people on how the gas prices are affecting us! You can vote, and view the top 3 videos, until September 27, 2008 at 4:00 pm EDT. The winner of the winning video gets free gas for a year. Good luck guys! Also if you haven't signed the Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less, petition yet, please do so. 1,484,237 people have signed the petition so far!

Talk about drilling, a gas well is to be put in behind our house. The property is not ours, so we have no say about it. The only thing that bums me out is that this is a wooded area where a lot of wild habitat hangs out! There are all kinds of birds, including huge hawks which were roosting right behind my house this summer. I always thought this area was a bird watchers paradise, along with deer, and all other critters. I got a shot below of my hawk which isn't too clear, but I followed him around a long time to get this shot. He was illusive to me like many lovers in my life! There is a good bit of woods in back of me, some I hope still protected by flood control. I guess there is no stopping progress! My hawk ~

The Cast of Beatlemania ~ Packs In Largest PA Crowd!

Over the weekend we took a ride into the city to watch a rock concert in the park! The park was packed with the largest attendance, concert officials had ever seen. Tells you there's a lot of Rockers in my area! Hundreds of people were seated everywhere on blankets, and chairs. Live music filled the small city of my old stomping grounds, on a beautiful warm summer evening.

Listening to wonderful sound renditions, The Cast of Beatlemania performed all the Beatle songs to utmost perfection. You can listen to their live performances on their myspace page!

Although my generation was born when The Beatles came out, we grew up listening to Beatle music. Practically everyone knows the lyrics to these timeless songs, which still to this day resonate in our hearts.

Hard to pick a favorite Beatle song, because they're all classics! If they ever come to your area, or if you are looking to book a band, these guys will definitely impress you with their musical talent. I highly recommend you see them! I leave you with a video of my favorite Beatle song ~

Cellphone Health Risk Update!!

Attention Blogger Friends and Readers Update 7-31-08:

Please read an interesting comment left on this post by Anonymous-Kathy, who has had her own experience with cellphone storage on the body. Could there be a link to where you actually carry your cellphone and cancer? Another very interesting topic brought to light! Thank you Kathy for sharing your personal insights and bringing your warning to our attention! Much luck in your recovery!

Just this evening another news story on risks of excessive use of cellphones. With more and more folks using cellphones, the debate continues in the long term effects of cellphone usage. Dr. Ronald Herberman director of University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute is proposing a study of cellphone useage and the health risks involved, one of which is cancer.

His advice is to limit your cellphone useage, and he is asking cellphone companies to release cellphone records to aid in his research and studies. He advices to look at low SAR, (Specific Absortion Rate) on manufacturer product features, when choosing a cellphone. One good thing cellphone companies are forging ahead to make safer cellphones!

Related stories here:
Cancer Expert Plans In-Depth Study On Cell Phone Risks
Pitt's Cancer Institute Warns Of Cell Phone Risks
Action News Extra: Cell Phones And Your Health -10 Recommedations

Read a recent article I wrote on cellphones here:
This Is Your Brain On Cellphones!!

This Is Your Brain On Cell Phones!

Can you imagine the effects of electromagnetic radiation on the human brain! The radiation emited is similar to microwave radiation. Cellphone usage has been linked to brain tumors, is harmful to an unborn fetus, and children exposed to cellphone radiation can have developemental problems. Cellphone usage has been linked to eye damage, and headaches. "They stress not exposing young children and infants to cellphones, because their skulls have not yet formed. leaving their brain vulnerable to damage.

Excessive use of cellphones is not recommened for adult health. By the way this video demonstrates, even slight use can have some unwanted effects. We are still being exposed to EMF radiation in all the wireless devices, WiFi buildings and towers put up everywhere, regardless if we have cellphones or not.

Cellphones emit different levels of radiation. Here are the ten highest radiation cell phones in the U.S.on Block EMF.com. When choosing a cellphone you may want to consider the lowest EMF rating you can find. Also available are shield or screen protectors starting at $1.99 , and QLink Pendant $99.95 that blocks EMF radiation, states to bring your body back to it's harmonious balance.

I don't own a cell phone, nor do I need one at the present time. Maybe a valid reason my daughter acts funny sometimes, to much cellphone and texting! I may consider buying her a shield to limit her radiation exposure. They say we will not know the true damaging effects until years down the road.

Interesting articles I found on Cellphone EMF:
Mercola.com
HealthyLivingTalk.com

Sandcastle Waterpark Always A Fun Time!

Once a year we make our annual trip over to Sandcastle Waterpark. About an hour drive from our home, Sandcastle has water fun for the whole family. The huge water amusement park runs alongside the Monongahela river. Typical beautious wooded hillsides of Pennyslvania surround the river. The grass lounge area has huge willow trees you can plant yourself under to grab some shade, or if you prefer you can lounge along the many sunny areas around the pool.

You can ride the numerous waterslides, or just chill out slowly tubing down the lazy river. There is a sandbar where you can catch some alcholic beverages, and all kind of food along the boardwalk, along with a clothing and jewelry gift shop. There are baby pools, and an adult pool area, and the Mon-Tsunami wave pool which is my favorite spot to ride the waves up to six feet. The day we went last Thursday was a sunny 80 degrees. We had rain the day before so the Mon river was pretty muddy. Love that muddy water!


You can't help but notice the enormous bridge and railroad trusses directly across the park! There were also a lot of boaters and jet skiers out in the water.

We weren't the only ones enjoying a swim. Geese swim as elegantly formated in the water as they do in the sky.

They always come in twos. In my romantic mind, these two are inseparable lovers. They remained together most of the day.

Me and my main man, steal a moment alone together.

CFL's ~ Compact Fluorescent Lamps Whats Your Take!

Representative Ted Poe of Texas speaks about CFL’s and their impact on our lives! He cracks me up, and watch the Representative behind him in the video below! Just love this guy, seems we do have Representatives with some common sense after all! How he kept a straight face while stating the facts through his whole speech is beyond me!! Video below!!




CFL’s or Compact Fluorescent Lamps will be replacing Incandescent Bulbs, and all Americans will be required to use them by 2014. CFL’s use less energy, and can reduce your electric bill by around 12%. CFL’s have a lifespan of 6,000 -15,000 hours or 5-7 years, as Incandescent bulbs have only 750 - 1000 hours. CFL’s however cannot be used for short periods of time, such as motion lighting. CFL’s need to be used for 15 minutes at a time, and usage will be reduced to Incandescent bulb lifespan if used for only short time periods. I’ve priced CFL’s at $3.00-$4.00 a piece to $8.00 - $10.00 per 3-4 Pack!

CFL’s contain mercury! The Environmental Protection Agency says the bulbs should be double bagged in plastic bags unbroken, to be recycled. The process of cleaning up CFL broken bulbs falls under the Hazardous Waste Clean Up, and reminds me of cleaning up Nuclear waste except in my own house! Everyone must leave the room for 15 minutes, and who knows if that’s enough time for the mercury to fully evaporate from the area. You can’t touch or breath in the toxins, or vacuum or use a broom! How scary is that? Here is the clean up instructions and disposal instructions on the EPA site: http://www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm

I've yet to use or purchase CFL bulbs, as I'm not so totally convinced of their safety, let alone paying more for lightbulbs. Also I noticed there are no three way lamp bulbs, and I’m not even sure if they have touch lamp bulbs. I’m not easily persuaded by change, contemplating pros and cons of everything!