We Deserve The Chance To Live ~ Poem For Urgent Dogs On Death Row!!

We Deserve The Chance To Live ~ (Poem for Urgent Dogs On Death Row)

Who will love me when I’m abandoned,
when all my hope is stripped away?
Where do I turn when I feel lonely?
Begging to live just one more day.

Who will embrace the sorrow in my eyes.
Speak out all the words I cannot say.
Hear my silent, frightened cries.
Begging to live just one more day.

Who will finally come to my rescue,
during my last dying hour I pray..
My worthy cause will not be forgotten.
Deserving to live just one more day.

Who will mourn my undue passing?
Never knowing the love I had to give.
Show me great miracles can still happen,
Because we all deserve the chance to live.

©Jo A. True-Burkholder 2010


In Memory of Missy tan dog pictured and all shelter dogs who are euthanized everyday. I’ve been networking Mystery aka Mister for the past two weeks, her momma Missy was euthanized on June 18, 2010. I was so affected by this beautiful and vibrant dog's death, that I decided to make them the poster dogs for my mission to bring awareness to the plight of Death Row Dogs. I was determined that Mistress would not have the same fate as her momma. I feel I let Missy down, her face will forever haunt me and remain on my pages, because I found her link a day too late.

Be a miracle~ please help me save Urgent Dogs On Death Row!! To bring worldwide awareness to their untimely plight, and ultimately to help save their lives. Did you know that one dog or cat is put down every 8 SECONDS according to the HSUS? This is an astonishing amount of dead dogs and cats littering our shelter trash bins!! Most like Missy are young, healthy and would make a great family pet!!

Join me in my passionate mission to save literally millions of beautiful healthy dogs and cats waiting desperately to be rescued, fostered, sponsored, and adopted!! So many of them go unnoticed like Missy and her baby Mystery. Their faces get lost because there're so many urgent dogs and cats filling our shelters daily.

Missy’s daughter Mystery has been rescued and given the chance, that both of them truly deserved. I had the pleasure of networking out this adorable pup only 4 months old. Contacting close to 60 rescues, a wonderful rescue has committed to taking Mistress and not a day too soon. I'm learning so much about what goes on behind rescue scenes and have profound respect for all involved. We had a circle of rescue ladies from 5 different states, hustling to make Mystery’s rescue possible including her shelter. She's now safe with her foster mom in Georgia, soon to be transported by ARF to her rescue in Minnesota!

Please make your sponsor donations, or help with transport or medical costs. Most shelters just simply don’t have funds to pay for all these costs. Some dogs simply need medical treatment to make them available for rescue or adoption. A large majority of shelters need funds to cover medical costs, and like Missy may be put down for an oversight cost of medical attention!!

We can’t let this happen to such beautiful souls, who have so much love to give us. Your dollars can be the only difference, between their life and death. Mystery is one lucky pup, and we almost didn't make it to save her. We couldn't help to save her momma, but I can rest knowing her sweet orphan puppy lives!!!


Thanks to some very special rescue ladies, her shelter coordinator, and foster mom, Mystery is SAFE!!! Mystery is a temp name, until she reaches her rescue!!

View 8 Rescued Dogs I helped to feature on my blog and facebook!

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

Keystone Lake Pennsylvania Photos! Mike Reese Responds to PA Park Closings!

I shot some awesome photos on our fishing visit to Keystone Lake Pennsylvania in Derry township last weekend! My favorite the first one above of my husband fishing on the lake, as the sun sets after a brief summer rain! I often ponder if Heaven is right here on earth with us! Absolutely breathtaking! Click on any photo to see enlarged!




Upon our arrival at Keystone Lake dark clouds started rolling in, and let loose a cool light rain spreading on the surface of the lake! Beautiful green trees and grass light up the stunning countryside setting, as pictured in the photo above!



Almost as soon as the rain came the sun streaks peaked out again! A double rainbow appeared in the sky, pictured here between the trees. This is two of three rainbows, I witnessed this week. The other rainbow came on Tuesday while walking my sister's dog, and sadly I didn't have my camera! In fact we've had much cloudy and rainy weather since we returned from our VA vacation in the beginning of the month!




The last shot of an incredible sunset on Keystone lake. You only need to look and beauty is all around us, just waiting to be taken in! I'm always ready and willing to capture it! The fleeting moment is now, and I'm here on this earth for a reason!

Keystone park surrounds the lake with many hiking trails, cabins, campgrounds, and even a beach! Non gas powered boating is also allowed on the lake! People come from everywhere to enjoy the serenity of Keystone park and lake! We visit beautiful Keystone lake a few times a year!

On another note in response to my email sent on a previous post, Heads Up Pennsylvanians ~ Bill 850 To Close 35 Pennslvania State Parks, I received an email from State Representative Mike Reese, about the Pennsylvania park closings! Mike Reese was the only one to respond back! I was very concerned about Laurel Mountain Park, and Keystone Park! Here is Mike Reese's email response:

Dear Jo,

Thank you for contacting me regarding the closure of approximately 35 State Parks including Linn Run State Park This is a difficult process that needs to be addressed. I want to keep the park open and it will stay open. I would like to explain to you what this means. The park will not be gated shut; the public will still be able to access and enjoy the beauty of the parks. However, there will be a reduction in services such as garbage pickup. In these rough economic times, cuts are needed in order to not raise taxes.

If you should have any additional concerns on this issue, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Mike Reese
State Representative
59th Legislative District

I thank Mr. Reese for getting back to me, and explaining the situation. I'm concerned in these tough times we won't have free places to visit and enjoy! I encourage everyone to write their state representative to keep our parks alive. I don't think Keystone is on the list, and I've yet to see the list!

You bet I'll be watching, I love all our parks here in Pennsylvania! I hate to see our state parks not being maintained! I hope they never gate them shut! Can you imagine the beauty we'd be missing?

Nature is a major significant palette of my artistry!


Related Posts:

Heads Up Pennsylvanians ~ Bill 850 To Close 35 Pennsylvania State Parks!!
Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail Excursion 2008
Post Gazette ~ Cutbacks put some state parks on shaky ground.
Ligonier Living ~ I'm stunned

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!

Ecological Footprint Test ~ How Do You Rate!

Tough economic times has impacted the way we live in numerous ways! Your ecological footprint is a measurement of lifestyle resources, consumption, and your overall impact on the environment. I found the Ecological Footprint Test on my buddy Ochi's site! Ochi said the test is for UK citizens, but interesting nonetheless! I took the test and my ecological footprint is 3.5, and if everyone lived like me we would need 2.2 planets to support global consumption! Man and I thought I was a real conserver! What is your ecological impact! Here are different ways I've tried to conserve:

1. Out here in the country we burn garbage, mostly paper like napkins, paper plates, cardboard food containers, plastic bags including garbage bags. The rest is divided into cans and glass products, which go to be reclycled! We also have a compost bin where we throw all our egg shells, vegetable and fruit peelings, and coffee and tea grinds. This year we spread the compost over our vegetable garden to fertilize the soil!

2. My husband strung me clotheslines in the utility room, so I can hang my laundry to dry! I used lines only for the winter months when I couldn't hang laundry outside, the lines are used all the time now! I prefer to hang my laundry outside in the sunshine and fresh air anytime possible! I rarely use the clothes dryer anymore to conserve electricity!

3. Talk about electricity, I use very little lighting in the daytime. We always turn out lights in rooms we aren't in! I can say my computer is in use at least 50% of the day, and I haven't tried to use the new energy saving lightbulbs. We do however use very little electricity for heat, as we burn wood all Winter long. We have oil backup heat, but we hardly ever use it!

4. Shopping at budget grocery stores, I take my own bags, reuse my own small boxes, and pack all my groceries myself! We in turn grow a huge garden and freeze all that we can to consume all Winter! I drink my own homemade beverages and use the same squirt bottle to take with me when I go out!

5. Gas prices have gone sky high again, so I'm sure that everyone is conserving here! We make only necessary trips to purchase things we need. I do have a teenager that is on the run constantly, so there are trips for her pleasure outings! She also belongs to many activities which makes more trips than we would like, but hey what are kids for!

I tend to sway back to the olden times, where I learned from my mother when we were poor. She taught me a lot about survival in tough times, including how to make budget food meals. What are your ways of conservation? How were you taught to conserve by your parents, what example are you setting for your own children to survive in tough times? Most of all how can you change the global consumption you use to conserve our ecological enviroment!

Money Pitfalls And Dreams ~ Poem

Money Pitfalls And Dreams

Money for many a high status thing
may yield fruition to a lifelong dream

huge fortunes kill sometimes maim
thrust in the spotlight of unwanted fame

money only merely ink paper after all
bitter root of greed’s sudden downfall

money can offer future security
purchases important daily necessities

money given morally can help the poor
open wide new opportunities door

others cope as needed thriving without
while others drink from a pouring spout

society has governed we can’t survive
the wrath of green moolah to stay alive

but can money buy freedom or happiness
or garner the rich feeling of self respect

only you choose your destiny...


©Jo A. True-Burkholder 2009

Response to Ozymandiaz: What is money? Thanks for the inspiration!

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.

Artic And Polar Bears Treading Thin Ice! Global Warming Endangered Species!

The Polar Bear has been listed as a threatened species, and these magnificent giants may disappear in the future. Their habitat disintegrating and damaged by devasting effects of global warming. Although we are trying to drill our own oil here in the U.S., the drilling could impact areas inhabited by polar bears. Let alone the oil from an oil spill getting into their fur, blocking their natural insulation from the cold artic air.

Threatened under the Endangered Species Act means the polar bear could become endangered and extinct if their habitat is not immediately protected! The disappearing ice has caused feeding and breeding problems, along with drownings from long distance swimming and have been reportedly resorting to cannibalism.

Can we afford to allow their eventual decline to happen? Sadly future generations may never get to view the stunning Polar Bear. The Polar Bear photo above taken by my daughter last Spring at the Pittsburgh Zoo. Is this what it’s come down to, locked in a controlled environment, than to be free in their own natural wild habitat?

Mass areas of the Arctic are literally melting away before our eyes. I found astounding photos of how Arctic ice has deteriorated over the past decade. Huge glaciers and snow caps are receding and dissipating further inland. Lack of ice contributes to early Spring runnoff, and considerably less water melting in Summer for irrigation, drinking water for animals, and sustainable water for marine life!

Close to twenty species have been recommended by Scientists as in danger of becoming extinct, you can find the list here in The Center for Biological Diverstity. Scrool down and click on species. I was amazed that honeybees are not on the list, but I see that the list is mostly comprised of marine wildlife!

I found a eye opening video about disappearing species on You Tube: Call Of Life ~ Facing The Mass Extinction!



We need to think seriously about the ever fading species around us, for our very existence thrives on their future survival. Let's all join the movement of ongoing awareness and global preservation!

My Unique Christmas Gifts!

I thought my food blogger friends would appreciate some of my unique gifts. Brazilian nuts are my favorite, and are only sold at Christmas time here. Did you know the Brazil nut tree grows to 100-150 ft! The trees live between 500-1000 years. Brazilian nuts are 25% saturated fat, highest of all nuts!

They are rich in selenium, which has been linked to reduce the risk of breast and prostate cancer! Due to the hight fat content they don't keep very long! My husband wrapped these nuts up for me for Christmas. They have a buttery wonderful taste to them, much like the coconut but not sweet! I enjoyed them muchly!


I received the beautiful buddha from my mother-in-law. I found so much information on Buddha. I always try to find a meaning, and I find that almost everything does have a meaning. Buddha means enlightened one or awakened one, and is the embodiment of compassion and bliss. I found many names for Buddha which begins with Gautama, and Sakyamuni meaning "Sage of the Sakyas. Shi Ga is also another name.

Buddha went through stages of enlightenment, and in the third stage became known as the Four Noble Truths. You can read the full article of The Life of Buddha, very interesting! I found that the raised right hand is said to grant the absence of fear, or allows the faithful to live without fear or worldly troubles. He is my new protector of the New Year!



I recieved this garlic jar, which has the strangest resemblance to the magic mushrooms on the movie The 10th Kingdom. My favorite part of the movie when they drink the swamp water, and the magic mushrooms are singing Whiter Shade of Pale. The 10th Kingdom is an old favorite of my daughter and I. Found the episode on You Tube below:




Lastly but not least my beautiful purple cat slippers, these make me feel like a ritzy lady! Their eyes have green gems that sparkle in the light. I had a red and black pair, but wore them out and asked for a new pair. I also received an mp3 player so I can dance around to my new favorite music, while I clean the house!

What were your unique Chrismas gifts? Did you have a toned down Christmas in the wake of a bad economy! We kept ours to a minimum this year! I was more than happy with what I received!

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!

Human Rage Out Of Control ~ My 15 Minutes Of Fame!

As if school shootings, and road rage are not enough for our society. We have another madness to add to the rage list~ parking rage. We've all been in the situation where we eye up a parking space in another lane, and when we get around the spot is taken by another driver coming down the other side! Most of us just go on with our lives and find another parking spot, but not a man in a neighboring county! He was so outraged at losing his parking space, he followed the other driver around the parking lot with a hammer! The full story appears here!

Things are getting pretty tense out there folks, better be careful you might end up getting shot over a prime parking spot! I remember one time getting yelled at by a couple, because we didn't park our sports car by their sports car. Go figure! People are so finatical, I swear it's getting worse by the day! I think some folks just need some plain anger management, or major counseling! Parking rage is nothing new, it's been going on for quite some time!

In fact when I worked in retail, we had to park our vehicles in the middle or end of the parking lot. This gave our customers the best spots to park in. I always thought it was better to park near the end, because there was less traffic buzzing in and out at the further parking spots. So I still follow this ritual today, parking my car away from others to protect it from getting doors slammed into it, or damage of any kind.

I did this one day recently at my regular grocery store, they were running a great meat sale, and knowing the upper parking lot would be packed, I used the lower further away parking lot! And you know, my car was still side swiped on the back bumper. The other car gone of course. I hope that person has a guilty conscious, what goes around - comes around! You can't have nothing nice, or keep nothing nice.

I agree with the fellow officer on the fact that it doesn't hurt any of us to walk that extra few feet, unless we are elderly and unable to do so. Stress levels are so high this time of year, it's better to avoid peak shopping hours! Check out the parking rage video that was featured on the news below, boggles the mind! With the economy so bad, folks are becoming even more greedy in their ways!



Good luck and be safe on your holiday shopping endeavors!

On another note, I wanted to thank Billy Jones from BloggingPoet.com for featuring my poem "Words From A Female Sow," on his site on November 13, 2008. I just recently found the link. Thanks for my 15 minutes of fame, even though I didn't know about it. Mr. Jones site is very entertaining, love it!

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!

September 11th - 7 Years Later!

We drove 60 miles to visit the Somerset flight 93 crashsite in the Spring of 2003. My favorite monument at the site pictured in my header above. I thought the inscription captured and defined a horrific historic day. I'm unsure if the monument looks the same now, but the carved stone was picture perfect with the momentos left by touring visitors.

I think we can all remember where we were on that fateful beautiful crisp Autumn day. The sky was immaculately clear, and devoid of any planes in sight. It was as if the whole world stopped, paralyzed in the moments of not wanting to believe what truly was happening before our eyes. The raw emotion of it, triggered an emptiness and uneasiness we never experienced as a nation before. Our own individual safety was being jeopardized, and tested beyond new limits. We were now unexpectantly put on guard for suspicious terrorists surrounding our doorsteps. Duct tape flew off the shelves, as well as non-parishable food items. People were scared and worried about the future.

Seven years later, the recession seems imminent upon us. House foreclosures, businesses shutting down, gas prices climbing up even higher causing a domino effect of soaring prices in general, and the war still continues on. The economy slowly crumbling at our feet, and we have no choice but to pay and pay, and try to survive.

Folks are cutting way back, we didn't even take a family vacation this year. Sticking closer to home, and staying by our own pool this summer. We drove around to events in our surrounding area, and eating out has become too expensive. Less spending filters right back down into business profits too. It's come to the point, I don't want to listen to the news anymore to hear what else will be next to rise in the price crunch. They say inflation isn't upon us, but we can all feel the pinch of recession closing in.

If we think times are arduous now, I don't even want to think what the future will bring for our children. What things will cost then, how will they survive? In a technology reliant generation, the me generation. A rude awakening to revert back to basic living, without luxuries. A way of life we are forced into living everyday, and the refusal of so many officials, and econmic educators, to grasp the true reality of families being hit hard with INFLATION -RECESSION!

Sarah Palin ~ McCain's Surprising Strategic Move!

Times are a changing! I'm empowered to see another woman in the spotlight! What an amazing move for McCain's campaign! He pulled a duesy out of his hat didn't he? Hey if we couldn't have a woman President, why not a Vice President? Who would've thought in this day and age that women would be holding such powerful positions? A proven fact women can do anything, and become anyone they want to be. Women have come a long way, from the 1920's when the Nineteeth Amendment was passed. The amendment giving all women the right to vote!

Sarah Palin referred to the time when women were allowed to vote, in her speech . The vital role of women to vote, in which she humbly attributed to be in the position she is today. I like how she is down to earth, five children -bless her heart! Her husband Todd Palin is a production manager for the Alaska North Slope. Their son Track, she is proud to say is serving our country in the Army. Governor Palin also paid tribute to the women who have come before her, Geraldine Ferraro, and Hilary Rodham Clinton.

Already news is coming out of the woodwork, ready to say she's inexperienced. Not a factor, you can learn anything you put your mind to. Knowledge and experience comes with the chance to be put in the position to learn. She is definitely a woman to follow in the spotlight, and rising up to the occasion with grace and determination. You heard the saying "Behind every man there is a good woman," now I say "Beside every man there's a woman willing and waiting to take his position!"

Bravo, The Naked Male Physique ~ Boscov's To Close 10 Stores!!

Refreshing to place my eyes upon a nude male for a change, or as my teen daughter would call it “Man Candy!” Society it seems embraces nude femininity much more readily than male.

We took a trek to Monroeville Mall to purchase a pair of DC shoes, which are all the rage, for my daughter’s back to school wardrobe. Our local mall didn’t have her size, and of course she had to have them. The Journey’s store there carried her size, and her wardrobe is finally complete for the moment!

We browsed the three story mall and found that the Oriental store I had frequented was gone, and that the anchor store Boscov’s was having a closing sale. Love this store, was only in the area for two years. They filed for Chapter 11, and are closing 10 stores due to the economy and lack of consumer spending. All a part of a restructuring plan, the under performance store closings will help the company regroup and regain it’s financial growth. You can find a list of their closing stores here! I hate to see fine stores go down, as I had been a part of closing a former Service Merchandise store, working in the Jewelry department for over 18 years.

I found some great deals on outdoor decor, and even picked up some xmas gifts. My husband bought me a pair of Thermolite boots for Fall pretty cheap. The weather gets rainy, muddy, and icy in my country area, so I need a waterproof pair of boots for around the house, especially in the Winter. Boscov’s carries some really nice quality merchandise, I highly recommend you check out their closing stores, you won’t be disappointed.

We ventured into the men’s department to check out stuff for hubby. My daughter was the first to notice the nude male mannequin. “Hey mom look!” she said laughing in her innocence! I said “ hummm pretty nice huh!” we both smiled. My husband out numbered walked further down the isle and shook his head.

In this modern day, women are on display like nothing. I’m not into exhibitionism, but with women nudity constantly being plastered on everything from ads to videos, I like the fact it’s a male for a change. Even if he’s a mannequin, the role reversal gives me some satisfaction. The male physique beautiful in it’s own right. I love everything about the male physique, being attracted to every part of a man’s body at a young age, much like my daughter. The feel of a man’s body close to mine, not only for wonderful sexual gratification, but to be aroused and held in the universe of male testosterone!

Puppy Mill Raid In Tennessee Hundreds Rescued!!

Video below of Pine Bluffs Puppy Mill Raid Tennessee on June 25, 2008:



The Humane Society of the United States rescued hundreds of dogs in a raid of Pine Bluff Kennels. Be a part of the cause to "Stop Puppy Mills." These poor little things are living their lives in cages only for breeding purposes. We need to stop the horrible conditions these animals are suffering, by not supporting the breeders who profit from their deplorable mills. Laws definitely need to be enacted to protect innocent animals from being abused in the mills, and bred over and over again to be sold. The hundreds of dogs taken in the raid will be placed into shelters, and put up for adoption.

Adopt a pet from your local shelter today! With the present declining economy, the pet adoption rate has gone way down. Consider adopting from your local shelter, never purchase a pet from a pet store, you'll be supporting puppy mills if you do! Shelter pets are the most loving pets in the world! More information on the Humane Society of the United States site on how you can help take action to "Stop Puppy Mills," today!

Take the pledge and place the "Stop Puppy Mills," banner to the right on your site or blog today. Just click on the banner for more information.

You can read my previous Puppy Mill posts here:
PA Puppy Mill Laws Finally!!!
Join Me To Help Stop Puppy Mills!!

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!

E85 Another Viable Fuel Alternative! Have You Signed The Drill Here Gas Petition!!

As the price of gas continues to rise, the search for other fuel alternatives is on the forefront. E85 is 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. Corn is a major component used to make E85, which is a much cleaner blend for the environment. Brazil and Sweden have already adapted E85 as a fuel for everyday use, and E85 is spreading quickly to the U.S. Finding a fuel station that carries E85 is rare. More and more automakers are building flex fuel vehicles, the demand will soon go higher for E85 pumps! Chevrolet has a page on their site about the new flex fuel vehicles they are implementing into the market.

Our Impala is not on the list of E85 Compatible vehicles, we missed it by a year. the nearest E85 station would be 30 miles or more away from my home, one way. From what I’ve read and heard about E85, is that it burns faster than regular grade petroleum. But with my average price of gas here running $3.99, the price of E85 in my general area is $3.49, there is a 50 cent difference. Once they implement more E85 pumps into more gas stations, it'll become more feasible to use E85.

Here is a list of E85 Compatible Vehicles ~yours may be on the list if it's newer!
National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition also has a list, but you need Excel to pull it up.
The U.S. Department of Energy has a page to help you by using Vehicle ID number.
You can check E85 prices by your state and find a station in your general area at E85Prices.com. Pretty cool site!
Some more information on Wikipedia about E85.

Lastly have you signed the Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less, Gas Petition? We need all the help we can get ~ Help make a change over 1 Million Signatures!!