Have you ever wondered why you don't see squirrels who have died from natural causes in your neighborhood? I mean sure, I saw one last year that the beer delivery truck for the neighbors ran over but that doesn't count--that was a hit and run. I mean I've never seen one that just died from old age or starvation etc. You just don't see Granny Squirrel with her walker lying on your sidewalk dead. (Thank you!)
One squirrel web site said that most squirrels don't just drop dead (like a human w/a heart attack). Instead these furry wonders retreat to their nests or choose to die in a protected spot of their choice (likely surrounded by nuts (no I don't mean my neighbors!)
After death, their uh...carcasses (for lack of a better word) are eaten by crows or ravens, or even your dog or cat. YUCK! OH DOUBLE YUCK! Please say it ain't so! My beloved dog eats dead squirrels! UGH! That's the last time I brush his teeth!
Another theory suggested by an 'expert' is that "squirrel Valkyries carry them off to
squirrel Valhalla, which resembles a large bird feeder."
"It's also been postulated that chitterboxes don't die. They retire to an enormous tree that's
suspended in space on the far side of sun. There they listen to ABBA, feast on
delicious nuts, and watch Walt Disney's Old Yeller over and over (and they
always cheer when that poor dog gets put down for having rabies)."
I'm not sure what the real answer is, but if any of you are squirrel-a-holics and have a creative answer (I am so hoping they are NOT listening to ABBA!) post it below. I love to be entertained. So do the rest of my readers!
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Don't Lose Your Nuts -- Or Other Important Papers and Information
Just a heads up to my readers, on my blog Independence Day--Transition Planning I have an article about AboutOne, a great organizational tool for anyone! Easy enough for my intellectually disabled daughter to use but great for me as well.
AboutOne lets you track EVERYTHING! (Well, except your kids!) But if it's paper or information they keep it in one easy and secure place.
Unlike some squirrels who lose their nuts, you won't lose your information and its super secure! So head on over to read it here.
***Disclosure Statement: AboutOne has partnered with bloggers like me to educate consumers about their services. As part of this, I have received compensation for writing the post this post is linked to. They did not tell me what to say or influence opinions in my blog post. They left me free to form my own opinion and share them in my own words. These policies meet FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.
Graphic from AboutOne.com
AboutOne lets you track EVERYTHING! (Well, except your kids!) But if it's paper or information they keep it in one easy and secure place.
Graphic from AboutOne.com
Unlike some squirrels who lose their nuts, you won't lose your information and its super secure! So head on over to read it here.
***Disclosure Statement: AboutOne has partnered with bloggers like me to educate consumers about their services. As part of this, I have received compensation for writing the post this post is linked to. They did not tell me what to say or influence opinions in my blog post. They left me free to form my own opinion and share them in my own words. These policies meet FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Fast and Healthy Back To School Breakfast
School is starting soon and it's time to try and figure out fast, fun and nutritous breakfasts for our kids. (Oh and did I forget to add, that kids will eat?) I found this on Pinterest (I admit, it's my newest addiction) Low cal (for me) but nutritious for the kids! Best of all, fast and easy to assemble and THEY EAT IT! It's great for snacks or a quick lunch too.
Visit Flatout Bread's website and find all the other great recipes they have for you. I love it when I discover a new product I love! Granted my kids are adults now, but for anyone who is hustling out of the house in the morning this is a great treat.
Recipe by Flatout Bread
PB&J with SB&G Flatout Wrap
Posted in On-The-Go Lunch
1 Flatout® Light Flatbread
1 Tbs reduced fat peanut butter
1 Tbs sugar-free jam
2 strawberries, hulled and sliced
1/4 banana, cut in half lengthwise
2 Tbs low fat granola
Spread peanut butter evenly over entire Flatout. On one rounded end, spread jam. Layer strawberry, banana and granola. Roll, cut and enjoy!
263 Calories ● 14g Protein ● 50g Carbs ● 12g Fiber ● 8g Fat
1 Tbs reduced fat peanut butter
1 Tbs sugar-free jam
2 strawberries, hulled and sliced
1/4 banana, cut in half lengthwise
2 Tbs low fat granola
Spread peanut butter evenly over entire Flatout. On one rounded end, spread jam. Layer strawberry, banana and granola. Roll, cut and enjoy!
263 Calories ● 14g Protein ● 50g Carbs ● 12g Fiber ● 8g Fat
Walk Like A Woman!
Presidential elections are coming up, and with each election come the debates. Depending on your level of interest, you either watch these or find a movie on cable to watch. The debates are stirring up controversy even before they start this year--the 'noise' is being made by three high school girls from New Jersey. It all started with a project for their civics class.
Emma Axelrod, Sammi Siegel and Elena Tsemberis, three high school sophomores have launched a petition on Change.org, calling for the Commission on Presidential Debates to have a female moderator for at least one of the three 2012 presidential debates between President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney in October.
Carole Simpson of ABC News, was the last woman to moderate a presidential debate. Simpson served as the moderator of a 1992 debate between Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Ross Perot.
PBS' Gwen Ifill moderated two vice presidential debates ( 2004's Dick Cheney-John Edwards and 2008's Joe Biden-Sarah Palin), but the rest have been moderated by men.
Axelrod was quoted in a press release as saying: "The fact that there hasn't been a female moderator of one of the debates in so long is just another sign that America is a long way away from being as equal as it thinks it is."
The young women started the petition as part of a project for their civics class. However when the girls tried to deliver the nearly 100,000 signatures to the Commission on Presidential Debates they were not allowed into the building and were blocked by security guards. (I guess those signatures must have been a real threat to the CPD?)
The web page the girls put up on Change.org has six suggestions for possible moderators but the girls say they are not limiting the options of the Commission on Presidential Debates, they would be happy with any intelligent woman well versed in politics and the election. Their suggestions included: Ifill, ABC News' Diane Sawyer and Katie Couric, MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, CNN's Christiane Amanpour and CBS News' Lesley Stahl.
It should be noted that of the commission members, only two are women. They call that equal? Below you can see the letter the students wrote to the Commission on Presidential Debates.
Dear Presidential Debate Committee,
A lot has happened in the United States since 1992--the last time a woman moderated presidential debates: the crashing of the World Trade Center, the election of our first African American president, and an increasing involvement of women in politics. Or so it would seem. Yet, according to the Center for American Women and Politics, women hold only 17% of the seats in Senate and 16.8% of the seats in the House of Representatives. In the past twenty years, they have made up 0% of moderators of the Presidential debates.
Women and men will never be truly equal in our country until they're one and the same in positions of power and both visible in politics. We need to take immediate action in order to move towards this change. It is time for a woman to have a chance to show what she's capable of by moderating debates in the upcoming election.
Please, in one of the three upcoming presidential debates, appoint a woman moderator.
This is one civics project that is rocking the political boat!
The question is have we 'come a long way baby?' or are we going back to where we were when the women's movement started? Are young women today not as involved in women's rights because they have reaped the benefits their mothers and grandmothers fought so hard for so they don't appreciate them?
If you want to have a moderator who will represent what is important to all Americans, it's time to ensure that one of the moderators is a woman, who has a woman's point of view and who knows what issues women care about. Not the issues men THINK we should care about because it's what is important to them.
So make your voice heard! Sign the petition. Write to your representatives and senators about the Commission on Presidential Debates denying these young women access to drop off petitions signed by the American people about an issue that directly effects them. Maybe it is time someone else organized the Presidential debates.
I want to say we've come a long way baby, but I think we're still just taking baby steps. It's time to get up and WALK like a WOMAN!
Emma Axelrod, Sammi Siegel and Elena Tsemberis, three high school sophomores have launched a petition on Change.org, calling for the Commission on Presidential Debates to have a female moderator for at least one of the three 2012 presidential debates between President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney in October.
Carole Simpson of ABC News, was the last woman to moderate a presidential debate. Simpson served as the moderator of a 1992 debate between Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Ross Perot.
PBS' Gwen Ifill moderated two vice presidential debates ( 2004's Dick Cheney-John Edwards and 2008's Joe Biden-Sarah Palin), but the rest have been moderated by men.
Axelrod was quoted in a press release as saying: "The fact that there hasn't been a female moderator of one of the debates in so long is just another sign that America is a long way away from being as equal as it thinks it is."
The young women started the petition as part of a project for their civics class. However when the girls tried to deliver the nearly 100,000 signatures to the Commission on Presidential Debates they were not allowed into the building and were blocked by security guards. (I guess those signatures must have been a real threat to the CPD?)
The web page the girls put up on Change.org has six suggestions for possible moderators but the girls say they are not limiting the options of the Commission on Presidential Debates, they would be happy with any intelligent woman well versed in politics and the election. Their suggestions included: Ifill, ABC News' Diane Sawyer and Katie Couric, MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, CNN's Christiane Amanpour and CBS News' Lesley Stahl.
It should be noted that of the commission members, only two are women. They call that equal? Below you can see the letter the students wrote to the Commission on Presidential Debates.
Dear Presidential Debate Committee,
A lot has happened in the United States since 1992--the last time a woman moderated presidential debates: the crashing of the World Trade Center, the election of our first African American president, and an increasing involvement of women in politics. Or so it would seem. Yet, according to the Center for American Women and Politics, women hold only 17% of the seats in Senate and 16.8% of the seats in the House of Representatives. In the past twenty years, they have made up 0% of moderators of the Presidential debates.
Women and men will never be truly equal in our country until they're one and the same in positions of power and both visible in politics. We need to take immediate action in order to move towards this change. It is time for a woman to have a chance to show what she's capable of by moderating debates in the upcoming election.
Please, in one of the three upcoming presidential debates, appoint a woman moderator.
This is one civics project that is rocking the political boat!
The question is have we 'come a long way baby?' or are we going back to where we were when the women's movement started? Are young women today not as involved in women's rights because they have reaped the benefits their mothers and grandmothers fought so hard for so they don't appreciate them?
If you want to have a moderator who will represent what is important to all Americans, it's time to ensure that one of the moderators is a woman, who has a woman's point of view and who knows what issues women care about. Not the issues men THINK we should care about because it's what is important to them.
So make your voice heard! Sign the petition. Write to your representatives and senators about the Commission on Presidential Debates denying these young women access to drop off petitions signed by the American people about an issue that directly effects them. Maybe it is time someone else organized the Presidential debates.
I want to say we've come a long way baby, but I think we're still just taking baby steps. It's time to get up and WALK like a WOMAN!
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Saying It With A Blog: A Series on Blogging and Writing
I've been thinking about the creative aspects of blogging lately. And thinking about what I can do to make my blogs more valuable to my readers. What follows is the beginning of my exploration on art, writing, and blogs. Because more and more people these days are 'Saying It With A Blog.'
Blogging is many things to many people. Companies view blogging as another form of advertising--a way to make advertising dollars go further, increase brand recognition and to attract a customer they may have been missing using other techniques. Bloggers view their craft differently. In truth, to most of us, blogging is really a 'short story' about a specific topic. Blogs are used to communicate our thoughts and feelings as well as our expertise to others. What bloggers do best is SHARE.
What do bloggers blog about? If people are talking about it, you'll find a group of bloggers writing about it. Some of us act as a 'editorial page' for the local news. Some of us provide information about a specific industry. Some of us blog about our own special interests, from crafting to education to our children. And yes, some bloggers even blog about the blogging process. There is a blogger for every interest, and if you can't find one, start one yourself.
If you don't know anything about the craft of writing, no one is better able to help the nascent blogger than NY Times best selling author Stephen King. King has sold over 350 million copies of his works so someone is reading what he writes, that's good enough for me! I can hear the wheels turning--Carrie? Cujo? Christine? Yes, that Stephen King.
But King also wrote a book called On Writing. This gem of a book has the story of King's rise to his current position as a NY Times Best Selling author. In it he tells the reader exactly what he thinks makes a good writer.
This is a book (like so many of King's) that has earned a place on bookshelves everywhere. The man knows his CRAFT! In his book King says "I've written because it fulfilled me. Maybe it paid off the mortgage on the house and got the kids through college, but those things were on the side--I did it for the buzz. I did it for the pure joy of the thing. And if you can do it for joy, you can do it forever."
Joy! Buzz! This is so much how I feel about blogging. It's why I get up excited every morning about blogging. I don't need caffeine, my buzz comes from writing. Like many professionals, bloggers have conferences. One of the biggest was this weekend in NYC, BlogHer. No, I didn't go to BlogHer--too crowded, too expensive, not enough time. Instead I went to PhillyHomeHer12.
PhillyHomeHer12 was coordinated by the book maven and social media whiz, Pam Brown Margolis. Pam is also the author of her own blog called The Unconventional Librarian. This mini conference was held at Towne Book Center in Collegeville PA where you can find Pam most days helping patrons with all things literary (and some not so!) The bookstore was nice enough to host us as well as provide information on their store and cafe and some exciting upcoming events for adults and children. Towne Book Center could easily become a home away from home! Check their web site and see who is coming to Towne soon. Later Pam arranged for us to enjoy dinner at Firebirds Restaurant. Good food and good talk = great conference!
PhillyHomeHer12 was a small group of women bloggers that all shared one thing--PASSION. Passion for their craft. Their blogs weren't 'work' they were labors of love. A way to share thoughts and enrich their own lives as well.
Like King, they didn't write for fame, they didn't really care if anyone ever tapped them for the top spot speaking at one of the huge blogging conferences, they cared about the connection with their readers.
King said "Writing isn't about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it's about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life as well."
I heard these bloggers say the same thing King said, maybe they used slightly different words but like King, they valued that connection with their readers. They valued helping even just one reader over all the fame and fortune.
This was the true value of this conference. Meeting with women who took joy in enriching the lives of others. Women there were happy to share their expertise with the newer bloggers. Happy to include them in their group and make them successful.
So the Tip For Today is:
Blog for the joy of it. For the connection with just one person. It will enrich your life as well. You'll find writing with this attitude makes you a better blogger, true to her own voice. So go out, write joyfully. Write for the jazz! And have a better blog!
And while you are waiting for my next installment in this series, order King's book from Towne Book Center--and support your local independent bookstore! And be sure to stop in and see Pam and the rest of the group at Towne Book Center where they sell more than just books! (Hint: Start Your Christmas Shopping early at Towne!)
Blogging is many things to many people. Companies view blogging as another form of advertising--a way to make advertising dollars go further, increase brand recognition and to attract a customer they may have been missing using other techniques. Bloggers view their craft differently. In truth, to most of us, blogging is really a 'short story' about a specific topic. Blogs are used to communicate our thoughts and feelings as well as our expertise to others. What bloggers do best is SHARE.
What do bloggers blog about? If people are talking about it, you'll find a group of bloggers writing about it. Some of us act as a 'editorial page' for the local news. Some of us provide information about a specific industry. Some of us blog about our own special interests, from crafting to education to our children. And yes, some bloggers even blog about the blogging process. There is a blogger for every interest, and if you can't find one, start one yourself.
If you don't know anything about the craft of writing, no one is better able to help the nascent blogger than NY Times best selling author Stephen King. King has sold over 350 million copies of his works so someone is reading what he writes, that's good enough for me! I can hear the wheels turning--Carrie? Cujo? Christine? Yes, that Stephen King.
But King also wrote a book called On Writing. This gem of a book has the story of King's rise to his current position as a NY Times Best Selling author. In it he tells the reader exactly what he thinks makes a good writer.
This is a book (like so many of King's) that has earned a place on bookshelves everywhere. The man knows his CRAFT! In his book King says "I've written because it fulfilled me. Maybe it paid off the mortgage on the house and got the kids through college, but those things were on the side--I did it for the buzz. I did it for the pure joy of the thing. And if you can do it for joy, you can do it forever."
Joy! Buzz! This is so much how I feel about blogging. It's why I get up excited every morning about blogging. I don't need caffeine, my buzz comes from writing. Like many professionals, bloggers have conferences. One of the biggest was this weekend in NYC, BlogHer. No, I didn't go to BlogHer--too crowded, too expensive, not enough time. Instead I went to PhillyHomeHer12.
PhillyHomeHer12 was coordinated by the book maven and social media whiz, Pam Brown Margolis. Pam is also the author of her own blog called The Unconventional Librarian. This mini conference was held at Towne Book Center in Collegeville PA where you can find Pam most days helping patrons with all things literary (and some not so!) The bookstore was nice enough to host us as well as provide information on their store and cafe and some exciting upcoming events for adults and children. Towne Book Center could easily become a home away from home! Check their web site and see who is coming to Towne soon. Later Pam arranged for us to enjoy dinner at Firebirds Restaurant. Good food and good talk = great conference!
PhillyHomeHer12 was a small group of women bloggers that all shared one thing--PASSION. Passion for their craft. Their blogs weren't 'work' they were labors of love. A way to share thoughts and enrich their own lives as well.
Like King, they didn't write for fame, they didn't really care if anyone ever tapped them for the top spot speaking at one of the huge blogging conferences, they cared about the connection with their readers.
King said "Writing isn't about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it's about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life as well."
I heard these bloggers say the same thing King said, maybe they used slightly different words but like King, they valued that connection with their readers. They valued helping even just one reader over all the fame and fortune.
This was the true value of this conference. Meeting with women who took joy in enriching the lives of others. Women there were happy to share their expertise with the newer bloggers. Happy to include them in their group and make them successful.
So the Tip For Today is:
Blog for the joy of it. For the connection with just one person. It will enrich your life as well. You'll find writing with this attitude makes you a better blogger, true to her own voice. So go out, write joyfully. Write for the jazz! And have a better blog!
And while you are waiting for my next installment in this series, order King's book from Towne Book Center--and support your local independent bookstore! And be sure to stop in and see Pam and the rest of the group at Towne Book Center where they sell more than just books! (Hint: Start Your Christmas Shopping early at Towne!)
"Eat Your Peas!" And Other Struggles Solved
YouTube/DailyGrommet/Constructive Eating
So you have a picky eater? Trying to get him or her to eat those veggies (especially those peas or that tricky rice?) Why not try this great product from Constructive Eating. I admit, I found their product on Daily Grommet, one of my favorite sites for fun 'stuff.' Not always things I need, but often very clever solutions to problems that have been plaguing me! Or in this case possibly you.
I don't think I know a single parent who hasn't fought the battle of getting their child to 'eat their veggies' or 'clean their plate.' Or to hold their utencils properly. Constructive Eating has utencils that look like a bulldozer or other construction vehicles like fork lifts etc. Just watch the video and see how these are designed to introduce children to proper eating and making it a fun experience. They also have a placemat that helps children learn the proper placement for utencils so they can help you set the table--a child is never to young to learn as long as you keep it fun!
Watch the video to see how these great products were developed by two parents, who just like you and me have fought the fight and found a better way to get their son invested in eating.
These products are cute and fun for kids who use them and for adults who can now say "THANK YOU Constructive Eating! Mealtimes are no longer a battle. Dinner is now a tranquil experience! (Or as close to it as it ever will be until the kids move out!)
Details of these products:
- CPSIA Compliant
- NO Lead, NO Bisplenol A (BPA), NO PVC, and NO Phthalates
Plate:
- Microwave and Dishwasher safe. Do not boil or steam sterilize.
- Made in Michigan.
- Dimensions: 9” in diameter.
Utensils:
- Includes forklift fork, front loader spoon and bulldozer pusher.
- Utensils are made in Illinois.
- Dimensions: 1” wide and between 4-6” long.
Placemat:
- Made of Polypropylene and features a construction "worksite."
- Durable and easy to wipe clean.
- Made in China until 2013 when they will be produced in USA.
- Dimensions: 11" x 17".
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
How The Olympics Shape Our Lives
Proctor and Gamble/YouTube/Shawn Johnson "Thank You Mom" Campaign
As I watched the American women take gold last night I thought back to the Olympics when Shawn Johnson blew us all away with her performance. She wasn't feeling at the top of her game but she still went out there and wowed us all. I don't think there was a single person watching that performance that didn't come away admiring that young lady's GRIT. We could all use a little of that grit in our everyday lives.
Yes, the Olympics reflect our lives. How we live and what we do. How we balance work and play. How hard we work to accomplish our goals. And how we relax.
It's balance. It's all about balance. Not just at the Olympics but in life. Shawn Johnson's mom, Teri, gave all of us a great role model. It was not just Shawn who was a terrific role model, but her mom. I hope if I'd been in her place I'd have been as great a mom and as good an example for my daughter. I hope I manage to balance my life as well.
Olympic Gymnastics. The sport we love to watch because it's pure magic. But the real magic? Balancing your life--having a real life and your 'other life.' And having parents who understand and support you--gold, pure gold.
So I say it's time for 'gold medals' for some Olympic parents--starting with Teri Johnson. And it's time to make the effort as parents to be 'gold medal parents' to our children. Thanks to Shawn Johnson, Teri Johnson and Proctor and Gamble for the inspiration.
And the next time you are standing on the sidelines, yelling at a referee, channel Teri Johnson instead.
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