Spring Has Sprung, Time to Spring Forward

A little springtime poem my father used to repeat to us all the time. We won't let him say it any more.

Spring is sprung
The grass is riz
I wonder where the birdies is?

Now you know why we won't let him say it anymore. Actually, there are alot of things we won't let him say anymore; but, that's another blog.

Anyway, when you go to bed tonight, turn your clock forward one hour. Yes, friends, this the night the sleep fairy comes and steals one precious hour of sleep. On the positive side, our evenings will be longer.

Save On Name Brand Clothing and Support WWF

Putting clothes on your children’s backs can be a balancing act where no one actually wins. The price of clothing today is out of control and; brand names are in control. I still bear some particularly nasty emotional scars from the Doc Marten boot rage. My wallet has never recovered; and, I notice that now that she buys her own footwear Doc Martens is not one of her choices. Still, I’m not bitter…

So, here is a win-win-win situation. Gap Inc. is running its “Give & Get” promotion again. Unfortunately, it is run in the continental US only; but, my American friends can benefit. The sale is from March 12-15, 2009.

Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy and outlet stores will take 30% off your total purchase and WWF (World Wildlife Fund) receive 5%. Gap’s previous two “Give & Get” events helped raise over $870,000 for WWF. Click on this link to get your coupon (which is transferable and multi-useable) and the fine print.

I Can't Believe Someone Thought This Was A Good Idea?!

As you read this story, remember someone was paid big, big bucks to come up with this gem.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009, state lawmakers in the USA passed a request to change the name of the Department of Elder Affairs to the Department on Aging.

Representative Janet Petersen (38) says lawmakers want to make the department’s name conform to those of federal agencies that deal with the elderly. She went on to state that the department’s existing name is a problem because some mature Iowans dislike being referred to as “elders”.

Director John McCalley says the Department would be referred to by the acronym DA instead of the more accurate DOA (hospital slang for Dead on Arrival). Of course, the clients of this department are too elderly to notice this little sleight-of-hand.

When legislature approved the change, Representative Dave Heaton (68) expressed his disapproval, "You can't have an acronym like this when you're referring to elderly people".

Iowa's governor must approve the change for it to become law.

Let's hope he has more sense than the legislature!

For People With Cats Who Have Bladders

Photo of Bast courtesy of Tour Egypt.

For those of us who are lovers of Bast, we know that accidents do happen. So, to keep our homes smelling clean and fresh, here is the recipe for “Urine Gone” – an environmentally-friendly deodorizer for cat urine. I’m sure it will work equally well on minor mishaps from puppies, babies and others I refuse to think about.

The measurements must be exact; although, batches may be of any size.

16 oz of Hydrogen Peroxide (3%)
2 level teaspoons of Baking Soda
2 drops of environmentally-friendly liquid dish soap (NOT the kind that goes into dishwashers)

Mix it slowly to combine. Do NOT wisk or beat as it will deactivate the solution. Put it in a spray bottle.

1. Totally soak the stain or urine spot.
2. Do not blot or wash the treated area at this time.
3. Leave for 24 hours or until completely dry.
4. Then clean item, floor, carpet as normal.

Really bad stains may take 2 to 3 treatments.

The treated area may smell terribly while still wet; but, that because it is working. Once it dries – the odour will be totally gone. Apparently, this will affect the colours on Indian carpets; but, always the cautious one – I always suggest doing a small test patch in an inconspicuous place.

Fish in South Korea with Human Faces

These two fish were found in a private pool in the central part of South Korea. Their faces look so much like human faces that the Korean news ran this short feature on them.

It is speculated that these fish are probably the hybrid offspring of two species of carp.

Both female carp are about 90 cm (35.5") long. They live in a small pool behind the home of a 64-year-old Korean resident.

According to the owner of the fish, they only recently have taken on the "humanoid" features.

However, researchers are going to investigate this transformation and try to discover if there are any other species with this same propensity.

Baking Soda - A Natural Alternative

Not only is baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) an earth-friendly cleaner and deodorizer, it is also unbelievably inexpensive and easy to use. So what CAN you do with baking soda?

- baking soda in the fridge not only removes odours; but, excess moisture as well
- sprinkle some in the bottom of your fruit and veggie crispers and cover with a towel for longer-lasting, crispier produce
- use a small amount on a damp sponge to clean out the frig, clean the stove top, clean the counter tops and other surfaces while leaving a nice clean scent and no scratches
- naturally wash fruits and veggies in a pot of water with 3-4 tablespoons of baking soda added
- baking soda cuts odours: put a little in anything that requires freshening - trash bags, sneakers, laundry hampers, diaper hampers...
- to freshen appliances and help remove sludge, run some through your dishwasher (1 cup), washer/dryer (1 cup), and coffee makers (1 tbsp. followed by several clear rinses before reuse)
- water stains on wooden floors/furniture disappear after being treated by baking soda dissolved in a small amount of water
- toss a cup down the drain followed by a couple of jugs of hot water to unplug a drain
- toss a cup barely dissolved with water down the drain to sit in the trap, deodorize the pipes and sweeten the smell of your sink
- baking soda brightens teeth when used as a toothpaste and freshens breath when used as a mouthwash
- put a thin layer of baking soda paste on anything chrome, let dry, then buff off for the shiniest chrome in town
- a baking soda paste relieves bug bites
- baking soda deters ants
- mix with a teaspoon of an earth-friendly dish detergent and a gallon of water to make a spray to treat roses with black spot fungus
- freshen your carpets by sprinkling the baking soda over them the night before you vacuum
- add half a cup to laundry for brighter and fresher laundry
- use a paste of 3/1 baking soda to water to clean jewellery

Now, don't you feel greener already?

Cute, Pink and Oh, So Vulnerable

Pinky, the rare albino dolphin who has been spotted in Lake Calcasieu in Louisiana, USA. Photograph: Captain Erik Rue /Caters News Agency Ltd

Pinky, as the rare albino bottlenose dolphin has been named by the locals, has been making friends and influencing people who have visited the area since she/he was first spotted in Lake Calcasieu last year.

Local charter boat Captain Erik Rue has been studying the dolphin since it first surfaced in the Louisiana Lake, and inland saltwater estuary, north of the Gulf of Mexico in southwest Louisiana. When Rue originally saw Pinky, the calf was swimming with a pod of four other dolphins.

"I just happened to see a little pod of dolphins, and I noticed one that was a little lighter ... I had never seen anything like it. It's the same colour throughout the whole body," said Rue.

"The dolphin appears to be healthy and normal other than its coloration, which is quite beautiful and stunningly pink," Rue claims to have sighted Pinky about 40-50 times.

"As time has passed the young mammal has grown and sometimes ventures away from its mother to feed and play; but, always remains in the vicinity of the pod," he said.

Regina Asmutis-Silvia, a senior biologist with the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, said: "I have never seen a dolphin coloured in this way in all my career."

"It is a truly beautiful dolphin; but, people should be careful, as with any dolphins, to respect it - observe from a distance, limit their time watching, don't chase or harass it."

"While this animal looks pink, it is an albino which you can notice in the pink eyes. Albinism is a genetic trait and it unclear as to the type of albinism this animal inherited."

While Pinky makes humans just want to dive right in to hug and squeeze him/her to death, albinism usually means an early death if you are prey not predator. For many prey species, the colour/colour patterns of their skin provide camouflage which can be up to 75% of their survival skill set.

Unfortunately, this loss of camouflage is a double-edged sword! Their inability to hide from predators also makes it impossible for them to conceal themselves from prey. Their meal knows they are coming before they even get there.

However, it is with a sad heart that I report that the largest predator of dolphins is still man.

New Videos Added

Friends: Check out the Environmental Videos section for new videos by EWG (Environmental Working Group). They have just been added to the line-up; so, mouse over the video offerings and check out what EWG has to say. Pretty interesting stuff.

Alternately, you can go to this website and check them out all on one page. Enjoy!!

Sustainable, Biodegrable, Simply Amazing Furniture

I saw this chair and I thought: How natural, how whimsical, and how creative! I fell in love with it on sight and already have a place picked out for it in my imaginary garden.

Designer Shinwei Roda Yen is the brilliant mind behind this garden chair she calls it her “mushrooms ate my furniture” chair. A totally natural addition to any garden, the seat of natural wood is extremely comfy as is (or I’m sure a back could be added for laggards like me!) and allows an excellent spot to take a break and recharge before either carrying on with one’s day or going home for nap.


Meanwhile, as you sit, unbeknownst to you underneath your very bottom, unseen unless you look for them, lurk things fermenting and growing in the dark, murky underside of the bench.

The manufacturer has seeded the underneath of the bench with mushroom spores. In the perfect climate close to soil, mushrooms are growing that will satisfy your urge for that delectable fungus for years. (Check first to make sure your bench grows edible mushrooms.)

The mushrooms will feed off the nutrients in the bench eventually causing the furniture to completely decay and return safely to your garden soil.

Now, that’s perfection!!

Photos Courtesy of Designboom

Did You Know That...

Did you know that April is Genocide Prevention Month? April 17 as been designated as the day for action - peaceful, of course. If you can host an action, click here. If you can't host an action; but, would like to attend a local action, click here.

Or do something peaceful that has meaning for you: write a letter to the editor; sign the Save Darfur petition; visit the Save Darfur website; write to the head of your country to ask them to intervene in Darfur; if there's an opportunity, bring it up on a radio talk show; or talk with someone, anyone and spread the word.