tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84926713894994786252024-03-18T21:59:46.014-07:00Bandon Berry FarmerCritical information and delightful musings from a Bandon, Oregon berry farmer.Tom Forgatschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14300548600584731593noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492671389499478625.post-4615270953041075262012-05-27T11:06:00.000-07:002012-05-27T11:26:14.031-07:00COQUILLE VALLEY AQUIFIER<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWew1xvB9Qohx53IfSqQOUNOOBW_6jiH-298MBstUeeFgUzYfNCzw1St5yM5AOHzdzrWLd-Ms5but8aGdop9dCnh4Dj0dMsHXWeOMAitdAuL_MJRrUOpsXmp9qM0uyDdv_OS-xwkKrGI/s1600/2011+Mar+03_1553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWew1xvB9Qohx53IfSqQOUNOOBW_6jiH-298MBstUeeFgUzYfNCzw1St5yM5AOHzdzrWLd-Ms5but8aGdop9dCnh4Dj0dMsHXWeOMAitdAuL_MJRrUOpsXmp9qM0uyDdv_OS-xwkKrGI/s320/2011+Mar+03_1553.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Port Orford ocean view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Approximately 7,500 acres of the Coquille ‘winter lake’ is a fresh water collector.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This seasonal water trap is the recharge source for the Coquille aquifer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dikes and tidal gates don’t just keep tides out, but also helps to keep wet season water in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The geological plumbing system, faults and fractures, allows for water communication into the aquifer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This same plumbing can also allow sea water (denser) into the aquifer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As long as ‘winter lake’ is allowed to replenish the Coquille aquifer it will store fresh water.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When the fresh water is drawn off, or not replenished, the porous aquifer does not stay empty but starts to fill with more dense salt water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Salt water intrusion is expanding due to sea level rise and fresh water pumping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During the summer months the fresh water source is diminishing and denser salt water intrudes further up the coquille river channel and its tributaries, channels, ditches and wetlands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If all the dikes and tidal gates are removed along with digging old ‘channels’, salt water will find it easier to enter the wet lands and the aquifer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The world is having problems with fresh water sources for humans and agriculture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we allow more salt water intrusion into aquifer we will further reduce our fresh water storage and use.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Here is a link to an article published on the Statistical and Applied Mathematical Inst. Web Site:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.samsi.info/sites/default/files/Barlow.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.samsi.info/sites/default/files/Barlow.pdf</a></span>Tom Forgatschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14300548600584731593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492671389499478625.post-28064493611651798302012-03-08T08:32:00.000-08:002012-03-08T08:32:18.147-08:00COQUILLE VALLEY WETLANDS FIRE SALE<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKESbo9kSxoKsR76zOm6QehvAVOnjFMwpnxdJPw_pd545RQvZtePIEzX11f7Y3oB60P4vEPNJkESHp5tA__0pxYYuP5rWX9H-l5Y321J1jEBYmAQ84eFaq8xd7InExo_W673Dp9Oo6l0s/s1600/coho+salmon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKESbo9kSxoKsR76zOm6QehvAVOnjFMwpnxdJPw_pd545RQvZtePIEzX11f7Y3oB60P4vEPNJkESHp5tA__0pxYYuP5rWX9H-l5Y321J1jEBYmAQ84eFaq8xd7InExo_W673Dp9Oo6l0s/s400/coho+salmon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s a done deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Coquille Valley flood plain (Winter Lake) is going to be bought for
Oregon Department of Fish and Game for permanent wetland protection,
conservation, and restoration projects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Or until the next overdue magnitude 9 subduction earthquake re-adjusts
the surface geomorphology.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Up to ‘approximately 3,000 acres of lowlands’ of the
‘larger initiative’ will be acquired for the land set aside for ODF&W.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The federal ‘National Coastal Wetlands
conservation grant program’ proposal seems to be a done deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ‘primary partners:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nature Conservancy, Oregon Depart of fish and
Game and other groups such as Doris duke Charitable Foundation, FWS, OWEB, TNC,
Coquille Tribe, Coquille High School, Bandon High School and Ducks Unlimited
have agreed to participate in the land purchase (at approximately $4,028 per
acre).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Granted, the actions of Fish and Game will improve local
fish production (and bird watching) that provides more money for the local
economy (some estimates set about $400.00 per pound for salmon caught by
‘local’ fishermen/women).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the
animals, birds, fish and people will benefit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So will fish eating populations like seals, cormorants, etc. also benefit
from eating the salmon?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The ‘benefits to coastal – dependant or migratory birds’
list of 80 or so birds failed to list starlings or cormorants, I guess their
populations will not be increased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a
blueberry grower, I’m always interested in robin populations to increase as
they just love our berries!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe some
crop damage could be mitigated with money?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are at least two major concerns about this great
plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first is: how about the harm
to local farmers who can’t possible afford the cost of summer feed for the
cattle, sheep, goats, etc. caused by no source of summer pasture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The uplands graised by live stock can’t
support ‘pasture feed’ livestock during dry summer months.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The second concern of mine is call salt water
intrusion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A study (get it on line –
Coquille River Salt water intrusion) already shows salt water intrusion 41
miles up the Coquille river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is
going to happen to the Coquille Valley fresh water sources if it is made easier
for salt water intrusion to take place?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It would be a lot cheaper to let climate change (warmer)
raise sea water intrusion into the Coquille Valley as a more ‘natural’ cycle
warming trend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course if the great
earthquake causes the Coquille River, wetlands to drop more, problem
solved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coquille River Valley is now
classified as a drowned river valley, so it drowns even more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ‘normal’ geological time scale is that
‘wetlands’ usually fill in by sedimentation and become great pasture/farm
land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But who are we to stop progress or
retrogression even if it is temporary – so is life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As for Pacific coast salmon, the main problem is that
they are old non-adaptive DNA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is
to say most pacific coast salmon spawn only one time and die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a waste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How about breeding Pacific coast salmon with Atlantic coastal salmon
that spawn 2, 3, or 4 times before they die?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are much more able to adapt (more generations) to earth
changes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s all about the money.</span></div>Tom Forgatschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14300548600584731593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492671389499478625.post-270550655447395142012-02-23T08:51:00.004-08:002012-02-23T08:51:48.087-08:00POETRY THURSDAY - I'M AGING (BUT SO R U!)<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">GETTING OLD LEAVES ME COLD</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To turn and burn is what oldies yearn; but life has taken
a slower turn.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your body needs to stay fit - to stop causes it to
quit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The old line of “use it or lose it” does really make your
body fit as long as you don’t pollute it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Things we accumulate as we grow old will eventually
leave you cold.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You are what you eat” is really true but how much you
eat defines you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Americans eat too much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We need to cut back on that lunch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Obesity is the disease of the day as it seems to be an
American way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To cut back on caloric intake slows down our bodies
break-down rate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This three meals a day makes your body pay.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our bodies store things that cause physical dings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To clean your body out, you need to keep good calorie
count.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cut back on empty calories.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Good nutrients are what you need to seize.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your good diet has lots of clout</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Keep diseases out a</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">and extend your lifetime route!</span></div>
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</div>Tom Forgatschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14300548600584731593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492671389499478625.post-64690256964869914092012-02-15T08:26:00.000-08:002012-02-15T08:26:06.443-08:00AND THE WINNER IS....!!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The Westminster Dog Show has named it's 2012 champion, a pekingese named Malachy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My dog would eat this for lunch. My cat wouldn't waste the time - too much hairball potential.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Congrats, I guess. I'd like to see it herd some sheep....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMRlAyQZ7xGxJm1d1baf7NAG03mQ1CjYce7gbz8M4NIAFqMolkM8pGBj1NTX99oNS-EMgaTUbFq45seRwXRoZJBaLF_wTf4MiouXA367VDMF-TtnX4FcljiEV2eIrJrkxFX_esrQTueU/s1600/westminster+pekingnese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMRlAyQZ7xGxJm1d1baf7NAG03mQ1CjYce7gbz8M4NIAFqMolkM8pGBj1NTX99oNS-EMgaTUbFq45seRwXRoZJBaLF_wTf4MiouXA367VDMF-TtnX4FcljiEV2eIrJrkxFX_esrQTueU/s320/westminster+pekingnese.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Tom Forgatschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14300548600584731593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492671389499478625.post-69163354488507793332012-02-14T22:21:00.000-08:002012-02-14T22:21:09.481-08:00A MOVING VALENTINE'S DAY!!<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, did you feel it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The earth moved for ALL of us on Valentine's Day!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At 7:31 pm, Tues, a 6.0 earthquake rumbled through the
area (along with a little bit of thunder).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The quake was centered 150 miles
west of Coos Bay.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It's always a good idea to restock up on water,
batteries, and dry goods (like crackers, cookies, pastas, etc - things that
don't require refrigeration to last).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And don't forget the toilet paper!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Take this moment to remind the family where to meet in a
disaster, where to go for a tsunami, and create an out-of-town contact person
that everyone knows to call in case of separation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For more tips, go to the US Government site on earthquake
preparedness. Now, take down that expensive vase for a few days, just in case...</span></div>
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<a href="http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/faq/?categoryID=14" target="_blank">Click here to go to the US Gov site for earthquake preparedness!</a></div>Tom Forgatschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14300548600584731593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492671389499478625.post-79900866483438594312012-02-13T07:51:00.000-08:002012-02-13T07:51:42.527-08:00THE BEST TV SHOW EVER MADE RETURNS TOMORROW!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87QWFFd6j9_73B8mhnTOugM1oRacL_3jy3FyXAi2O8EKdWJVI4-YtxJcQbquLFtXYIIrNc88S7o5zCGxXJHAD3IzNf0m70euRfdcb1qMhtlr5jTX2nECZUz5vU6eaeMPCmLqZuY4wvBc/s1600/Top+Shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87QWFFd6j9_73B8mhnTOugM1oRacL_3jy3FyXAi2O8EKdWJVI4-YtxJcQbquLFtXYIIrNc88S7o5zCGxXJHAD3IzNf0m70euRfdcb1qMhtlr5jTX2nECZUz5vU6eaeMPCmLqZuY4wvBc/s1600/Top+Shot.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My favorite show, Top Shot, returns tomorrow (Tues) on
the History Channel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It involves
shooting, followed by some shooting, with each episode ending with some
shooting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I LOVE IT!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Just in case you haven't seen Top Shot, it is
amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The contestants get spun,
flung, and zipped through the air, all while shooting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There's not a whole lot of "beeyatch
stole my makeup!" crapola.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
there is a whole lotta talented shooting going on, filmed with imagination and
edited for maximum suspense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's a fun
show - be sure to check it out!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here's a link to the Top Shot website. You can catch up on past episodes, check out the new cast, and generally revel in the joy of shooting, without the political garbage that usually accompanies it.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.history.com/shows/top-shot" target="_blank">http://www.history.com/shows/top-shot</a></div>
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<br /></div>Tom Forgatschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14300548600584731593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492671389499478625.post-57755149252578903072012-02-08T04:30:00.000-08:002012-02-08T04:30:04.529-08:00SPINNER’S MAGIC<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XM1lT4owaidYoch1H6qJjzQG4a8Vb-C2QrX2OgPRFDAVZMp1mZmoCjXo1gkRnNsXXUVM8DJR-3GAT5T3E8bRKLT9eHll2tZXqcnC6ndaa11HX5zCLFI5_vHsfiHbDX8TkwzcorjqsmY/s1600/alredy+spun+yarns.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XM1lT4owaidYoch1H6qJjzQG4a8Vb-C2QrX2OgPRFDAVZMp1mZmoCjXo1gkRnNsXXUVM8DJR-3GAT5T3E8bRKLT9eHll2tZXqcnC6ndaa11HX5zCLFI5_vHsfiHbDX8TkwzcorjqsmY/s320/alredy+spun+yarns.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Several colors of spun yarn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(Note:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The following article is from the Mrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My better half.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> She who must be obeyed. </span>I'm always accusing her of spinning her
wheels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She's found a way to turn that
into something productive!)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have always been interested in spinning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The process of turning wool into yarn seems
like magic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A couple a years ago, I took
a spinning class at Wild Rivers Wool Factory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Soon after the class, I bought a spinning wheel,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>which I now use on a daily basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I use an electric spinner - a Hansen Crafts
Mini Spinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A manual spinner uses a foot
treadle, which is great as long as your knees are strong!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0KlJwrjKqF3FHFkY84-E8H28-cfO1gY3LC1KuTzBL1z1nOB03fhQIwKxc40LKYyj2FGZe33Agi72bWG7EuvLihgSREJYNK-5bwdJd2chepdPAMGKfoZXZNzEkmeixbL26uCvs3Kqhpw/s1600/feedin+the+electir+wheel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0KlJwrjKqF3FHFkY84-E8H28-cfO1gY3LC1KuTzBL1z1nOB03fhQIwKxc40LKYyj2FGZe33Agi72bWG7EuvLihgSREJYNK-5bwdJd2chepdPAMGKfoZXZNzEkmeixbL26uCvs3Kqhpw/s320/feedin+the+electir+wheel.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding the electric spinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I did not imagine that the wool from sheep, goats,
rabbits, etc. could be so different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some fleece feels soft and luxurious while others feel like the beard of
an old man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some breeds of sheep have
fleece that could spin themselves while others remind you never to spin that
type of wool again.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Spinning wheels also differ as greatly as sheep’s
wool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some are a dream to spin on while
others seem to backlash (go backward when you want them to go the opposite
direction) just by looking at them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
I first took up spinning, I thought one spinning wheel was the same as
another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I now realize that you need to
spin on the wheel that you think you may buy – not just buy it without trying
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjbfEMmMo4KK3Yr3rKRdREazUVGJtq_BenEG22rcWOOAUnOVtFUrEpCBSqe9E65DPak8yh_RqsRStrNJdLCn3LLvYQoT1IhGKZsSak2cgGI9Khqc80Pnlorfkcc05ksCBt-F-LX6YlLA/s1600/spun+yarn+just+off+the+wheel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjbfEMmMo4KK3Yr3rKRdREazUVGJtq_BenEG22rcWOOAUnOVtFUrEpCBSqe9E65DPak8yh_RqsRStrNJdLCn3LLvYQoT1IhGKZsSak2cgGI9Khqc80Pnlorfkcc05ksCBt-F-LX6YlLA/s320/spun+yarn+just+off+the+wheel.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spun yarn, just off the wheel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A great place to try spinning wheels is at a
wool-gathering, like the Black Sheep Gathering in Eugene.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It takes place once a year and has spinning
wheels, fleece, carters, drop spindles, etc. - all this plus live animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you find fleece addictive, this is a
dangerous place to go with credit cards or money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is so much to look at, feel and buy.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I found that you can travel with your addiction to
spinning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All you need is a drop spindle
and some fiber.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can spin while
waiting in line, at airports, and as a passenger in a car. While walking around
stores it is possible to spin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The drop
spindle is very portable and you can make a lot of yarn with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It came before the spinning wheel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Columbus’s sails were the product of the drop
spindle.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzozvR89Eln-FPRVgU5mLSBfBGA-Gzb8ZkgocJtU-aHVe8_P0sc2qCwp9sPg1F5hJWndDGTW7wwPbvyqFjFUcqq4IXFJd2qmXf1KvBd2dxKJtHHUMVt3Qw6vR21fHBtwraCe_smjj8TWA/s1600/wound+yarn+to+count+the+yardage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzozvR89Eln-FPRVgU5mLSBfBGA-Gzb8ZkgocJtU-aHVe8_P0sc2qCwp9sPg1F5hJWndDGTW7wwPbvyqFjFUcqq4IXFJd2qmXf1KvBd2dxKJtHHUMVt3Qw6vR21fHBtwraCe_smjj8TWA/s320/wound+yarn+to+count+the+yardage.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Measuring yarn length before pricing for sale</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think there are two types of spinners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The spinners who enjoy spinning for the sheer
pleasure of watching fiber turn into yarns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These people do not plan to make anything out of their yarn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I fall into that group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other people spin their yarn and create
garments from their labor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They either
knit or weave – sometimes both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We both
enjoy what we do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, if you want to
exercise while you watch TV,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>spinning is
for you!</span></div>Tom Forgatschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14300548600584731593noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492671389499478625.post-39647000793705181582012-02-03T08:58:00.000-08:002012-02-03T08:58:03.447-08:00MOVE YOUR ASH FRIDAY!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIaysKFFFbasZLAwhbgz1fhdlubjnAiLUvThIFXtP09oJ92aB625QIvuKPL407dyq0OwoXwS3JEPrt32L5NoqclxQ7y0uG_XexRBiC3RcvvxHF4xsGe8lOv6TwvIDIlOhC2DYFJi_reU/s1600/placement+screen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIaysKFFFbasZLAwhbgz1fhdlubjnAiLUvThIFXtP09oJ92aB625QIvuKPL407dyq0OwoXwS3JEPrt32L5NoqclxQ7y0uG_XexRBiC3RcvvxHF4xsGe8lOv6TwvIDIlOhC2DYFJi_reU/s320/placement+screen.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let's talk about the benefits of moving your ash!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For those of you with wood burning stoves, ashes can be
more than a mess to clean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can be
useful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ashes can be used as a mineral
and fertilizer source.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ash will alter
the acid soil Ph to a more basic/alkaline soil.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The best way I've found is to empty your fireplace ashes
onto a wood ash screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It filters out
any unburned materials, allowing you to easily distribute pure ash onto your
garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is one I've made from scrap
wood and screen that works well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Buy a plastic
concrete/mortar mixing tray to hold the ashes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zbO_eC-auhZcuvVn59J5xAt0PudNOzdumj_Kdb4t2J-UMX2hviLED138yBSPpJL_UBrWgmmdyEKtwOId2T5kC1CMyLrHxNJDmtlNNDa-2Rng3C8n0kBMu5tG2ThHeZlw8Fr4D_kAsec/s1600/cement+holder.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zbO_eC-auhZcuvVn59J5xAt0PudNOzdumj_Kdb4t2J-UMX2hviLED138yBSPpJL_UBrWgmmdyEKtwOId2T5kC1CMyLrHxNJDmtlNNDa-2Rng3C8n0kBMu5tG2ThHeZlw8Fr4D_kAsec/s320/cement+holder.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will need ¼
inch galvanized wire hardware screen to fit (about 2 feet by 3 feet
piece).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Co</span>nstruct the screen to fit over the tray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The tray slides out the open end of the screen
base.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I used 2x4’s for legs, 2 – 2”x4”x3’ foot long
for edges, 2 – 2”x4”x2’ long for ends for the frame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYv7OjrgsGoOYnjZruU-pLmt1jop-wl7f7-LKE0uVq5qz0bPlERqg9IRPiBPXV0EFRhto9-wQWnmq-rn6ohNTW7EFEA9IjKXdAG2x5-I1pJMTuR8kXXmx5h3PQFiUt-yJGYXhnsJAHGc/s1600/building-underneath.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYv7OjrgsGoOYnjZruU-pLmt1jop-wl7f7-LKE0uVq5qz0bPlERqg9IRPiBPXV0EFRhto9-wQWnmq-rn6ohNTW7EFEA9IjKXdAG2x5-I1pJMTuR8kXXmx5h3PQFiUt-yJGYXhnsJAHGc/s320/building-underneath.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Next you need to staple the screen on the
frame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then cut and screw, from the bottom of the
frame, 2 – 2”x6”x2’ and 2 – 2”x6”x3’ for top frame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 2x6s give the height to hold the
ashes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Transport the
ashes from your fireplace to your ash holder using a fireproof carrier</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4L9TuA-RPrQxTeZqMEfT32P7mKoXrCt9gZ9uQlezfl3_qr7Y2nwy-nx4Ff_eM1n__toTVmLyIkej3Y8vSh06PbD_MJFBzlpYqMaTS8SPeJffcUL68oNhKtERM5vImoFsMF8fof0t2-w/s1600/screen+top.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4L9TuA-RPrQxTeZqMEfT32P7mKoXrCt9gZ9uQlezfl3_qr7Y2nwy-nx4Ff_eM1n__toTVmLyIkej3Y8vSh06PbD_MJFBzlpYqMaTS8SPeJffcUL68oNhKtERM5vImoFsMF8fof0t2-w/s320/screen+top.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ensure the
screen is on securely over the top of the container</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slowly pour the
ashes onto the screen, working them through with some jiggling</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Toss out the
stuff on top of the screen, then evenly distribute your ash over the garden</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Tips & Warnings:</u></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkS6XRaUqbG57RQtDgCoGu-0-mSHL9algSyQuGuVNOoDrwtWqqkJeAIoZi1_81OzfoyemT1WgCK1HklHUzcFwQw6NkViy9XpdXQZvUrTezSyjWvxxO0tQDUDdT2B-S7zM7EpGvPY1d2Zc/s1600/magnet+bag.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkS6XRaUqbG57RQtDgCoGu-0-mSHL9algSyQuGuVNOoDrwtWqqkJeAIoZi1_81OzfoyemT1WgCK1HklHUzcFwQw6NkViy9XpdXQZvUrTezSyjWvxxO0tQDUDdT2B-S7zM7EpGvPY1d2Zc/s320/magnet+bag.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magnet Bag</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">-Wood used for building (ie, fences, cranberry boxes, pallets,
etc) will have nails or metal that need to be screened out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have nails or metal parts in your
firewood; use a magnet inside a clothbag to separate metal out of the
ashes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">-Do not burn treated wood as the preservative is toxic</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">-Stay up wind, city folks!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now go make an ash of yourself!!</span><br />Tom Forgatschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14300548600584731593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492671389499478625.post-63289821721025038242012-01-08T09:27:00.001-08:002012-01-08T09:27:58.428-08:00WHAT'S THAT FRACKING NOISE?<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fracking is in the news
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time it’s about a swarm of
earthquakes in Ohio caused by fracking lubrication of local faulting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really like the TV ad from a natural gas company
that promotes drilling and fracking (chemical addition also).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problem is that the really nice drilling
diagram shows no natural faulting in the ‘cap’ layers above the fracking
area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The diagram wrongly details the
many layers of rock, soil, etc. with no natural faulting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This false diagram really looks safe for our
ground water sources.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is a big lie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter where you go in the US you will
find communication between deep layers of strata to allow vertical movement of
liquids or gases.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bandon, Oregon area is a
very good example of a high fault area that most area residents have no
clue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do you think Langlois Mountain
and all the ‘hills’ in the area got here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How do you think the beach sand benches were stacked up?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Methane Energy Corporation
drilled wells to act as gathering points for small natural gas traps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, in time methane communication will meet
the drill holes; but not fast enough to keep the corporation in business.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Check out this trick –
small LLC’s go to private money and stock issue to drill wells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The company makes lots of money for its
owners and workers; but then goes bankrupt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some of the holes are ‘sealed’ and some left open as another company
swoops in to save the day – cheap move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The work is done: money made now, buy it cheap, then set back and wait
for methane to move.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the 70s the Rocky
Mountain Arsenal was pumping very bad chemicals deep into wells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The idea was ‘out of sight, out of mind’; but
each time they dumped deep, they set off a swarm of earthquakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>U.S.G.S did a study and concluded that all
the bad chemicals were lubricating the faults in the well area.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fracking has been banned
in some countries and has a couple of court cases pending in US.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problem is if you have an intrusive
chemical if is very hard to fix!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of
the drilling companies use micro seismic monitoring with geophones and tilt
meters to guess the geometry of the fracturing action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That information alone shows the fact that
fracking causes seismic activity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would
a ‘big’ quake be a tax deduction?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An
estimated 90% of the natural gas wells in the United States use hydraulic
fracturing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is all about the
money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For more data go to Wikpedia –
topic:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hydraulic Fracturing or
FracFocus.org.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Tom Forgatschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14300548600584731593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492671389499478625.post-21704869877794400342011-12-22T05:00:00.000-08:002011-12-22T05:00:00.585-08:00AMAZING CAMOUFLAGE!!<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I'm working
REAL hard to keep the Christmas spirit, but them darn folks in Washington are
making it really, really tough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So,
let's just take a moment to breathe and enjoy some nature today, ok?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IH5VEeCWI74/TvKBeTFHPPI/AAAAAAAAAUs/YsdZJYOnrBc/s1600/leaf+katydid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IH5VEeCWI74/TvKBeTFHPPI/AAAAAAAAAUs/YsdZJYOnrBc/s320/leaf+katydid.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaf Katydid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wouldn't it be nice to disappear like this once in a while?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially when the family is over for Christmas...</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are more at the link below. Happy Thursday!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZD8pgRWZEM/TvKB1__Dz0I/AAAAAAAAAVI/mmS4BTN_UcE/s1600/great+grey+owl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZD8pgRWZEM/TvKB1__Dz0I/AAAAAAAAAVI/mmS4BTN_UcE/s320/great+grey+owl.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Grey Owl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-90UkrsJFxsg/TvKB4KPgQ-I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/sis_JBUa97c/s1600/fantastic+leaf+gecko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-90UkrsJFxsg/TvKB4KPgQ-I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/sis_JBUa97c/s320/fantastic+leaf+gecko.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fantastic Leaf Gecko</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C0pp1UVkaqI/TvKB7xEhh9I/AAAAAAAAAVY/eabkYuB-kHs/s1600/southern+rock+agama+lizard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C0pp1UVkaqI/TvKB7xEhh9I/AAAAAAAAAVY/eabkYuB-kHs/s320/southern+rock+agama+lizard.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Rock Agama Lizard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o40ovbnEZco/TvKB985FYqI/AAAAAAAAAVg/0gvkekbWcKo/s1600/white+crab+spider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o40ovbnEZco/TvKB985FYqI/AAAAAAAAAVg/0gvkekbWcKo/s320/white+crab+spider.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Crab Spider</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/photos/camouflaged-animals-1323369509-slideshow/" target="_blank">http://news.yahoo.com/photos/camouflaged-animals-1323369509-slideshow/</a>Tom Forgatschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14300548600584731593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492671389499478625.post-40296210850809998652011-12-21T09:14:00.000-08:002011-12-21T09:14:05.619-08:00FARM FENCING!!<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have you looked at the
cost of woven wire fencing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The price
has sky rocketed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not to mention that
most of it is made in China or some other job-stealing country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The idea of getting foreign countries to
depend on ‘U.S.’ for buying their products has worked too well (i.e. loss of
jobs, depression of gross national product, debt, etc).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only real big ticket items we export are
military products (we give food away).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For fixing or improving farm
fencing, there is a low cost (other than some elbow grease), green recycling, functionally
better, answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cargo pallets!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmh8Jsqrc_hXG0Fdz4yExiVfUXqAX_849lHXPecuiQuSQdsaSNtpoVOrEcVQPFEFcyi4BlDePirxG1iVDs_HWb7trG60sz71XggoyYsFyuTzT07mbtm4YAzDE9hf4cNmjp4w0sGxBoN48/s1600/pallet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmh8Jsqrc_hXG0Fdz4yExiVfUXqAX_849lHXPecuiQuSQdsaSNtpoVOrEcVQPFEFcyi4BlDePirxG1iVDs_HWb7trG60sz71XggoyYsFyuTzT07mbtm4YAzDE9hf4cNmjp4w0sGxBoN48/s320/pallet.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pallets are usually
imported forest hardwoods that are very durable and strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get them for free, but you can find them
for sale for $2 to $5 per pallet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxh7U9w1XHMurikEz4e05Yo1D7EFz72vQpDvKUHR0zjbfOwx4AqPKHca5g1djZADotVsHMxjdV8Ts0dJj6_e0WaMCjN_F-LOEpqsPZpOPo2W45h97xopD8ueA4T2b2wZ6e3soFg3jTSxo/s1600/pallet+standing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxh7U9w1XHMurikEz4e05Yo1D7EFz72vQpDvKUHR0zjbfOwx4AqPKHca5g1djZADotVsHMxjdV8Ts0dJj6_e0WaMCjN_F-LOEpqsPZpOPo2W45h97xopD8ueA4T2b2wZ6e3soFg3jTSxo/s320/pallet+standing.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I put two 2x6 treated and
coated, one-foot pieces on the bottom of the pallet (to keep the pallet off the
ground).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then stand the pallet up,
with the slats vertical, and wire it to the existing fence.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiom-MtlaaIT1FbEXDzMEGlIMwid5xDevVFEjfcK0d7V120V30xNZASd6zHi2sBwvEqaKc83Z9hNTh5ltNVCzSJ2TRMrbQE9XEiTCmulPb7U75xV-eFYSO1h_Ky9tiEAMKqNa5hvDEIIyc/s1600/pallet+fence+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiom-MtlaaIT1FbEXDzMEGlIMwid5xDevVFEjfcK0d7V120V30xNZASd6zHi2sBwvEqaKc83Z9hNTh5ltNVCzSJ2TRMrbQE9XEiTCmulPb7U75xV-eFYSO1h_Ky9tiEAMKqNa5hvDEIIyc/s320/pallet+fence+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You can buy horse, sheep,
goat, etc., no-climb fence, but it's very expensive and hard to install.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pallets are easy to install and you can
do it over time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The slats, being
vertical, make it much harder for the animals to climb to eat bushes, trees,
crops or whatever.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6LtkcCXv78hY4HIG5dn0K8GzORfKWlp_UDRcUS6jf0Y4g-Y9hFhc8XrVcPffaS71wksxrQwwskM90V7LezgvZlMLCaZs7PzF3tLViwDKy86AMFDHcdSI3SH2doFA7d3BiDFvCOo5uec/s1600/pallet+fence+done.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6LtkcCXv78hY4HIG5dn0K8GzORfKWlp_UDRcUS6jf0Y4g-Y9hFhc8XrVcPffaS71wksxrQwwskM90V7LezgvZlMLCaZs7PzF3tLViwDKy86AMFDHcdSI3SH2doFA7d3BiDFvCOo5uec/s320/pallet+fence+done.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the problems with
animals climbing regular fence is that they break the horizontal stays and open
holes in the fence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially nowadays,
the galvanization process is not as good or long-lasting as older ‘toxic’ fence
material.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you really want to get anal,
you can paint the pallets, but that is a waste of time and money (in short
supply for most of us independent farmers!).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you want to make a
stand-alone pallet fence, it is a little more difficult than patching/redoing a
fence with lots of holes in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will
need fence posts in the ground and more wire or wood between pallets and screw
those together – more money, time etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
it will be worth it in the long run!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have
fun.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Tom Forgatschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14300548600584731593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492671389499478625.post-73717657232689539372011-12-20T09:39:00.000-08:002011-12-20T09:39:13.771-08:00NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PHOTOS OF THE YEAR!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here are two
of Nat Geo's pix of the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can
find more at the link posted below.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi21Tscu8k8t_ef2YKDVGzN3EaehSC7FpMnOPFRhqL3Kc-osS1dBWLXFUlVw-IY3q-AbNn9KgpD3QqMR8ejm_4MuJayWTsrkkJTcYMVFS3LvNq8ZnUlsVninGQovbRP0IIVLJhvQxHJNQ/s1600/NatGeo+Pic+of+year.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi21Tscu8k8t_ef2YKDVGzN3EaehSC7FpMnOPFRhqL3Kc-osS1dBWLXFUlVw-IY3q-AbNn9KgpD3QqMR8ejm_4MuJayWTsrkkJTcYMVFS3LvNq8ZnUlsVninGQovbRP0IIVLJhvQxHJNQ/s320/NatGeo+Pic+of+year.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Photo of the
year - Dragonfly in the Rain<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WzAzPgFp126nEUhKT9C1mPOspGABQvktV_KmNXxR6HJ8-lHzRfLBeDTPbcI78gSba1Eb77MgnxshGrffH6vzu2rLogivJIkp1TC8nBSNtayw5KrKcZG0H14UcUo4bELbJM1laEe2s2w/s1600/Natgeo+viewers+choice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WzAzPgFp126nEUhKT9C1mPOspGABQvktV_KmNXxR6HJ8-lHzRfLBeDTPbcI78gSba1Eb77MgnxshGrffH6vzu2rLogivJIkp1TC8nBSNtayw5KrKcZG0H14UcUo4bELbJM1laEe2s2w/s320/Natgeo+viewers+choice.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Viewer's
Choice - Beluga whales in the Arctic</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/photo-contest/2011/entries/gallery/nature-winners/?source=photomaindl_ngpc2011#/0" target="_blank">http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/photo-contest/2011/entries/gallery/nature-winners/?source=photomaindl_ngpc2011#/0</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Tom Forgatschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14300548600584731593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492671389499478625.post-16716285898575204222011-12-17T09:02:00.000-08:002011-12-17T09:02:51.876-08:00AMAZING SAND ART SATURDAY!!<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is old, but still
wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you've never seen it, take
a few moments - you'll be pleasantly
surprised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is from Ukraine's Got
Talent, from two years ago. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The artist
is depicting WW II, through the eyes of one village.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/HOMgDbcA84A?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>Tom Forgatschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14300548600584731593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492671389499478625.post-75820241356158994472011-12-16T15:12:00.000-08:002011-12-16T15:12:10.800-08:00ANOTHER LOSS FOR DOWNTOWN BANDON<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It's been a bad year for our little town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thai Thai, one of the best Thai restaurants
in the state, closed due to insanely high rents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other businesses closed, too, causing our
downtown to lose much of its character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And now the McNair Store is closing shop, as of the end of this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The McNair
Store has been one of our nicest gift shops, with reasonable prices and
creative merchandise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will be
sorely missed, and I've lost one of my favorite gift-buying locations.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In this awful economy, the one thing Bandon has
maintained has been its appeal to tourists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As our charming shops become ghosts of businesses past, now, more than
ever, we need to Shop Bandon!</span></div>Tom Forgatschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14300548600584731593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492671389499478625.post-19643730413511164182011-12-15T06:00:00.000-08:002011-12-15T06:00:20.339-08:00TOO ADORABLE TO LIVE THURSDAY!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">C'mon! It's baby GOATS! </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://0.gvt0.com/vi/b4_EdJ-XkUA/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/b4_EdJ-XkUA&fs=1&source=uds" />
<param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" />
<embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/b4_EdJ-XkUA&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Thanks, Pat!)</span>Tom Forgatschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14300548600584731593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492671389499478625.post-6324829322136180352011-12-13T05:00:00.000-08:002011-12-13T05:00:05.318-08:00PHOTO TUESDAY!<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">More magic from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">National Geographic</i>
with their "Best Photos of 2011".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A link is at the end of this post.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsgENx1cC2qSRfH1bq7XppbFPO4gRDYJuYls42pFytF-PubQvFIEOMa-6d_vwGxr5TJPciwyFmprVOTscsmfr0qIUi8ZZrFVtNx3_Y5enk-BfGqcjD7WvX1vVGvloZxd3y35W3Gnexns/s1600/camel-thorn-trees-namibia_35259_600x450%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsgENx1cC2qSRfH1bq7XppbFPO4gRDYJuYls42pFytF-PubQvFIEOMa-6d_vwGxr5TJPciwyFmprVOTscsmfr0qIUi8ZZrFVtNx3_Y5enk-BfGqcjD7WvX1vVGvloZxd3y35W3Gnexns/s400/camel-thorn-trees-namibia_35259_600x450%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"Tinted orange by the morning sun, a soaring dune is the backdrop for
the hulks of camel thorn trees in Namib-Naukluft Park."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By Frans Lanting</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOUM9t16hTwE-f03pvI3fwkoqQRKbPiZJBbdh3hRTUPlLSzPAz_82EjJ35SKmZpq-xclFmK9CgLV591SfxBFrTizXKDj2Th5NSPHDRFiRks26SXlJrxZIDo1P0W7o65P_6HrzzfhheL4/s1600/snowy-trees-alberta-canada_30711_600x450%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOUM9t16hTwE-f03pvI3fwkoqQRKbPiZJBbdh3hRTUPlLSzPAz_82EjJ35SKmZpq-xclFmK9CgLV591SfxBFrTizXKDj2Th5NSPHDRFiRks26SXlJrxZIDo1P0W7o65P_6HrzzfhheL4/s400/snowy-trees-alberta-canada_30711_600x450%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"Beautiful
frost at sunset in Alberta, Canada."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>By Dwayne Holmwood</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowueIHn0qYBksVfPCNdj3xsapViS2Db2kVT2iaYdSoNmOUh-e2yGkb29VZ4wfM8vMrwEj0w0WwlUjzLETgClYnaS4pv2Mi9JEFXTRAFwcepJkEtxUonzjKOU7wUyb7dYmwDERqPHgVvo/s1600/autumn-forest-germany_35651_600x450%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowueIHn0qYBksVfPCNdj3xsapViS2Db2kVT2iaYdSoNmOUh-e2yGkb29VZ4wfM8vMrwEj0w0WwlUjzLETgClYnaS4pv2Mi9JEFXTRAFwcepJkEtxUonzjKOU7wUyb7dYmwDERqPHgVvo/s400/autumn-forest-germany_35651_600x450%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"This
photo was taken during autumn in Hameln, Germany, which is the birthplace of
the infamous Rattenfänger—or Pied Piper as we Americans know it. This shot is
actually on top of the last few hills that soon sink into the state of
Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony)."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By
Jonathan Manshack</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtMBxSvayfK6zTeP5FC3FbkX0WhvmJ7Sm0Vkg1Kxt1LOaw408eD42SGwM7dfNsk_a_LUp3i2fM8tEds_Nnq0D9_jOqBUbXUnR0cSjNTXxfkHjdkeKDiT5E1ib_5Bj5VexefReR1IlAvU/s1600/kung-fu-master-china_32859_600x450%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtMBxSvayfK6zTeP5FC3FbkX0WhvmJ7Sm0Vkg1Kxt1LOaw408eD42SGwM7dfNsk_a_LUp3i2fM8tEds_Nnq0D9_jOqBUbXUnR0cSjNTXxfkHjdkeKDiT5E1ib_5Bj5VexefReR1IlAvU/s400/kung-fu-master-china_32859_600x450%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"Buddhist
monk and kung fu master Shi Dejian (above) and his disciples hauled bags of
cement and roof tiles up steep mountain paths to build an isolated retreat (in
background) away from the tourist crowds at the Shaolin Temple." <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By Fritz Hoffman</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photos/pod-best-of-2011/#/camel-thorn-trees-namibia_35259_600x450.jpg" target="_blank">http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photos/pod-best-of-2011/#/camel-thorn-trees-namibia_35259_600x450.jpg</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Tom Forgatschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14300548600584731593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492671389499478625.post-18649398735704522912011-12-01T11:08:00.001-08:002011-12-01T20:31:16.159-08:00POISON FRUIT THURSDAY!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlVVgA2uPoZ9bQvhMcjD6II6jr4cVOM7OSAjtnJzWkQMsnpkMWAsXYlrHDu7YcR8q-eQjqe4vQPxTi8AdCZ4MZfgcIJ6MPo7MSceTdroBtFlYCaIzMRfv1KgX5ahLtcXjoqFsLG4Rpfg/s1600/apple-cropped+%2526+reduced.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlVVgA2uPoZ9bQvhMcjD6II6jr4cVOM7OSAjtnJzWkQMsnpkMWAsXYlrHDu7YcR8q-eQjqe4vQPxTi8AdCZ4MZfgcIJ6MPo7MSceTdroBtFlYCaIzMRfv1KgX5ahLtcXjoqFsLG4Rpfg/s320/apple-cropped+%2526+reduced.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Arsenic in our apple juice!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD!!!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A new study by Consumer Reports revealed arsenic levels
in 10% of apple juices tested were higher than the allowable limits for
drinking water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The internet and news
shows go predictably crazy.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There will almost always be some arsenic in apple
juice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reason is that apple seeds
contain organic arsenic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the apples
are pressed for juice, seeds often are included.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This results in traces of the seed arsenic <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>filtering into the juice itself.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Non-organic arsenic is a different story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may remember Dr. Oz coming out with this
same story several months ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was
taken to task as his study didn't differentiate between organic or inorganic
arsenic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Efforts should be made to
determine how the non-organic arsenic is making it into the apple (whether
through soil or spray), and then minimize that threat.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
we press our apples at home, there isn't enough pressure to crush the
seeds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They come out whole in the
pumice. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>I've got enough things trying to
kill me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don't need any help from my
apples!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>Tom Forgatschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14300548600584731593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492671389499478625.post-27098147479085454902011-12-01T05:00:00.000-08:002011-12-01T05:00:00.281-08:00ANOTHER EDITION OF "Question EVERYTHING!"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2-RpvHWC-rw0pO1TB7TG5QZOdzhAgks9lre3q74CMYJ7uO4DP9ShiKudhJtwdCnQJOMfneHzDJVs1lZYVfLrr9N7iUq5_vh8ZfLRuIa-KTmA3uO0p35IrARjOmzT2t5BoU_TBKvhoZg/s1600/sheep+1-reduced.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2-RpvHWC-rw0pO1TB7TG5QZOdzhAgks9lre3q74CMYJ7uO4DP9ShiKudhJtwdCnQJOMfneHzDJVs1lZYVfLrr9N7iUq5_vh8ZfLRuIa-KTmA3uO0p35IrARjOmzT2t5BoU_TBKvhoZg/s320/sheep+1-reduced.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This email was forwarded
to me by someone with the absolute best of intentions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Read it - you'll see that it sounds logical,
common-sensical, with a big dose of "why haven't we done this
yet?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The only problem - is
isn't what it purports to be.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Read the email, and the
truth about it, after the jump!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here's the email:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">----<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Warren Buffett, in a recent
interview with CNBC, offers one of the best<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">quotes about the debt
ceiling:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"I could<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>end the deficit in 5 minutes," he told
CNBC. "You just pass a<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>law that says that anytime there is a deficit
of more than 3% of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GDP,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">all sitting members of
Congress are ineligible for re-election."<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The 26th amendment (granting
the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>right to vote for 18 year-olds) took
only<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3 months & 8 days<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people
demanded it.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That was in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1971...before computers, e-mail, cell phones,
etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>the<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">27 amendments to the
Constitution, seven (7) took 1 year or<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>less to<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">become the law of the
land...all because of public pressure.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Warren Buffet is asking each
addressee to forward this email to a<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">minimum of twenty people on
their address list; in turn ask each of<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">those to do likewise. In
three days, most people in The United States of<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">America will have the
message. This is one idea that really should be<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">passed around.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">*Congressional Reform Act of 2011*<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1. No Tenure / No
Pension.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Congressman collects a salary
while in<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">office and receives no pay
when they are out of office.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Congress (past, present & future)
participates in Social Security.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All funds in the
Congressional retirement fund move to the Social<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Security system immediately.
All future funds flow into the Social<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Security system, and Congress
participates with the American people. It<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">may not be used for any other
purpose.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3. Congress can purchase
their own retirement plan, just as all<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Americans do.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4. Congress will no longer
vote themselves a pay raise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Congressional<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">pay will rise by the lower of
CPI or 3%.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5. Congress loses their
current health care system and participates in<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">the same health care system
as the American people.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6. Congress must equally
abide by all laws they impose on the American<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">people.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7. All contracts with past
and present Congressmen are void effective<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1/1/12. The American people
did not make this contract with Congressmen.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Congressmen made all these
contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">is an honor, not a career.
The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">legislators, so ours should
serve their term(s), then go home and back<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">to work.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If each person contacts a
minimum of twenty people then it will only<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">take three days for most
people (in the U.S. ) to receive the message.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maybe it is time.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">THIS IS HOW YOU FIX
CONGRESS!!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you agree with the
above, pass it<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #7030a0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">on. If not, just delete. You
are one of my 20. Please keep it going.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">----</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The email would lead you
to believe this is all from Warren.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Warren
Buffett has nothing to do with this email</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Buffett did say the initial
two-sentence quote to CNBC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that's
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest, including the fake Congressional
Reform Act of 2011, is bogus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Buffett had
nothing to do with attaching his quote to this piece of comedy.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Errors
in the Congressional Reform Act of 2011 document</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">These are fully detailed on
Snopes and FactCheck (links are at the end of this article).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a nutshell:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: red;">Re:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No. 2</span> - Congress already participates in
Social Security (since 1984)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: red;">Re:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No. 3</span> - Most Americans don't purchase their
own retirement plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they have one
at all, it is through their employers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: red;">Re:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No. 4</span> - Under current law, Congress doesn't
vote itself a raise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Raises are
automatic, based on a cost-of-living formula.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: red;">Re:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>5</span>
- Like no. 3, most Americans either get their health care through their
employer or not at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why shouldn't
Congress members earn the same types of benefit options of most employed
Americans? </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If they were doing their
job, most of us would have no issue with this.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: red;">Re: No 6</span> - Other than the
protections provided IN THE CONSTITUTION, Congress is required to abide by the
same laws as everyone else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Look
who's talking!</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although Buffett's said a
lot of pleasing things of late, particularly to the 99%'ers, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we can't forget that he and his billionaire
ilk are largely responsible for creating the monster that is our current Congress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And his simple instruction, "you just pass a law..." - not so
simple!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Congress enact
anything resembling accountability for their actions?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the alternative constitutional convention option has
never been done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are lots of valid
things to be angry about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don't need
to make new ones up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just another
reminder to question EVERYTHING - find the kernel of truth buried in the
garbage, and only then decide whether it's worth caring about.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here are the links to the
sources of these clarifications:</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.snopes.com/politics/quotes/buffett.asp" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">http://www.snopes.com/politics/quotes/buffett.asp</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.snopes.com/politics/medical/28thamendment.asp"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">http://www.snopes.com/politics/medical/28thamendment.asp</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.factcheck.org/2011/03/congressional-reform-act/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">http://www.factcheck.org/2011/03/congressional-reform-act/</span></a><br />Tom Forgatschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14300548600584731593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492671389499478625.post-13326424444880788892011-11-30T04:00:00.000-08:002011-11-30T04:00:06.216-08:00WHOA! WEDNESDAY!<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, what is this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clever video editing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flaming kites?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Synchronized meteors?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or ALIEN INVADERS...showing off a little
bit...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This was taken on November
23, 2011, over </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Adygeysk, Russia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm not finding
any answers yet as to what these or this or they really are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me
know if you find out!</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>Tom Forgatschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14300548600584731593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492671389499478625.post-24086880024255675202011-11-29T08:31:00.001-08:002011-11-29T08:31:58.354-08:00HAPPY TEARS!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If you haven't
seen this, take a few minutes to feel better about life. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These Beagles were raised inside cages in a lab
- never saw sun, never touched grass. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rescued
and moved to Los Angeles, they find out what they've been missing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The music is corny, but the visuals are too sad
and wonderful to miss!</span></div>
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<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://0.gvt0.com/vi/zLZMxRP_F5w/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zLZMxRP_F5w&fs=1&source=uds" />
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<br /></div>Tom Forgatschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14300548600584731593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492671389499478625.post-33059920297135054692011-11-25T05:00:00.000-08:002011-11-25T05:00:05.624-08:00AMAZING NATURE FRIDAY!<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Some natural inspirations to take your mind off of the unnatural horrors of Black Friday!</span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">National Geographic has
this shot of the lightning cloud forming from a </span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">June eruption in southern Chile's Puyehue-Cordón
Caulle volcano complex.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UnTWdPzF0kHCEoQHxv3uSLInzi7cCZW1cj5Cv2LubYYaV2PPwHC765swX1TexMERubb3AFMwx7dnH_pDk0Sfw9w7QOVx7HK-LNw6S1qL3qGs4VXXZcnZtjkxezmwSYlfygh7NSqywc8/s1600/Chile+volcano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UnTWdPzF0kHCEoQHxv3uSLInzi7cCZW1cj5Cv2LubYYaV2PPwHC765swX1TexMERubb3AFMwx7dnH_pDk0Sfw9w7QOVx7HK-LNw6S1qL3qGs4VXXZcnZtjkxezmwSYlfygh7NSqywc8/s320/Chile+volcano.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Check out this short (2 min) scene from
the BBC's "Frozen Planet" series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>An icy finger of death is formed, freezing everything it touches on the ocean floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love bugs, and NG also has this
story of a new albino spider discovered in Australia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 1 1/2-inch wide newby is being called the
albino trapdoor until a formal name is announced.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Vx2wfpUj7GOs5pALbZ3haPYMKUIrbOYi9rFUQ3xDgOSmm2JcJA9mRlXaby8SlA9HMeQza52MAaSwiYykD2UwXo0hauuBlxNxQtzBcDXIye2M952nKqugkBo1DT2vLImiEi8e339ILCk/s1600/white-albino-spider-found_43342_600x450%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Vx2wfpUj7GOs5pALbZ3haPYMKUIrbOYi9rFUQ3xDgOSmm2JcJA9mRlXaby8SlA9HMeQza52MAaSwiYykD2UwXo0hauuBlxNxQtzBcDXIye2M952nKqugkBo1DT2vLImiEi8e339ILCk/s320/white-albino-spider-found_43342_600x450%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">And last, we
Oregon coasters love our storms (our power was out for five hours with
Tuesday's whopper which had Cape Blanco measuring gusts at 80-plus), so I knew
you'd appreciate this September shot of a wave crashing against a Japanese
breakwater during Typhoon Roke.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi679I2buhUlcWmrBC3OK_VDWMNoFM1tTpf3y2DAKF7YD8kE-k8gnk0I1mqLe31JN6MdwfiGyBFLuiQlkqB8pToAigrXCEFu7wdqQxJ0UOf2wX2HblVasm-KUAlaxPnPCRgD-YwZlhWng4/s1600/Japan+storm+surge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi679I2buhUlcWmrBC3OK_VDWMNoFM1tTpf3y2DAKF7YD8kE-k8gnk0I1mqLe31JN6MdwfiGyBFLuiQlkqB8pToAigrXCEFu7wdqQxJ0UOf2wX2HblVasm-KUAlaxPnPCRgD-YwZlhWng4/s320/Japan+storm+surge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Tom Forgatschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14300548600584731593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492671389499478625.post-62164897880486755342011-11-18T18:53:00.001-08:002011-11-18T18:55:53.101-08:00AMAZING 3-D MURAL SETS NEW GUINESS RECORD!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4IDi12yKCmcV-thyYle6COEF6NUIUL5wwIUcn1qhNdpmxJWh4SG_UqPfvOqigpBrQQRDAL0jz4p8e65vShVwt8X-oELD7vsWyDfJBxShD0aW7PPh3cBB693SFFpxY7ZYGa8Oi1RLC12k/s1600/3D-MURAL%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4IDi12yKCmcV-thyYle6COEF6NUIUL5wwIUcn1qhNdpmxJWh4SG_UqPfvOqigpBrQQRDAL0jz4p8e65vShVwt8X-oELD7vsWyDfJBxShD0aW7PPh3cBB693SFFpxY7ZYGa8Oi1RLC12k/s320/3D-MURAL%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wow!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This sidewalk
mural, with its tremendous 3-D imagery, just broke the world's record for
largest 3-D Street Art (a record that had been previously broken just the week
before in China).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was done by the British
art team Joe and Max, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>who created this
in London's Canary Wharf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check out the
short video to see how they did it - it looks even better when the people are
moving!</span></div>
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<br /></div>Tom Forgatschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14300548600584731593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492671389499478625.post-36485551047498836762011-11-18T08:41:00.001-08:002011-11-18T10:00:39.921-08:00FREE FOR ALL FRIDAY!!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What a week!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
lost a munchkin, we have a new drug, and not even the skies are safe!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIlLJnSEMU-cU1lvKJGlgNK922DEjQNis62br7QLY9rjBGyPQldqdJW43bHVYoXluTs7K3xV8LYTr1J7evvdceddf049XbdsXPFGlG1QsqVZZB3y_JUsbbv9q_6lLuDpN3_QrBPc7TBE/s1600/Munchkin+Karl-Slover-%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIlLJnSEMU-cU1lvKJGlgNK922DEjQNis62br7QLY9rjBGyPQldqdJW43bHVYoXluTs7K3xV8LYTr1J7evvdceddf049XbdsXPFGlG1QsqVZZB3y_JUsbbv9q_6lLuDpN3_QrBPc7TBE/s320/Munchkin+Karl-Slover-%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">--</span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wizard of Oz Munchkin Karl Slover </span><a href="http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/11/wizard-of-oz-munchkin-karl-slover-dies-at-93.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+nymag%2Fvulture+%28Vulture+-+nymag.com%27s+Entertainment+and+Culture+Blog%29" target="_self"><span style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">dies at 93</span></span></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">--Who knew the latest killer drug craze in Oregon would be
snorting bath salts?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leave it in the
bathtub, people!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here's the story from
Oregon.Live:</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/11/doctors_police_see_more_abuse.html" target="_blank">http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/11/doctors_police_see_more_abuse.html</a></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">--And not all the lousy drivers in LA County are on the
roads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You won't believe this!</span></div>
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<br /></div>Tom Forgatschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14300548600584731593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492671389499478625.post-15316270886011006472011-11-17T05:00:00.000-08:002011-11-17T05:00:06.536-08:00LAW ENFORCMENT THURSDAY!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqFZk_ZoJ1T0tBSSHji3w7Bojo1JHZ_hptc5k5qMkJW8IrnAX9ayBq5q0H1H_6B3DVdVBr5WTWTF50S2YIIVmxHvFY8hYETYcnuzzEpXLxnZnK4VSyl1mnDkAoT3W-sehzhrGomwXBGg/s1600/gun+grannie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqFZk_ZoJ1T0tBSSHji3w7Bojo1JHZ_hptc5k5qMkJW8IrnAX9ayBq5q0H1H_6B3DVdVBr5WTWTF50S2YIIVmxHvFY8hYETYcnuzzEpXLxnZnK4VSyl1mnDkAoT3W-sehzhrGomwXBGg/s320/gun+grannie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span style="color: blue;">(Supposedly) True story from a Kansas
State Highway Patrol officer:<o:p></o:p></span></u></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I made a traffic stop on
an elderly lady the other day for speeding on<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">U.S. 166 Eastbound at Mile
Marker 73 just East of Sedan , KS.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I asked for her driver's
license, registration, and proof of insurance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The lady took out the
required information and handed it to me.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In with the cards I was
somewhat surprised (due to her advanced age)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">to see she had a conceal
carry permit. I looked at her and ask if<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">she had a weapon in her
possession at this time. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She responded that she
indeed had a .45 automatic in her glove box.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Something---body language,
or the way she said it---made me want<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">to ask if she had any
other firearms. She did admit to also having<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">a 9mm Glock in her center
console. Now I had to ask one more<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">time if that was all. She
responded once again that she did have<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">just one more, a .38
special in her purse. I then asked her what<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">was she so afraid of.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She looked me right in the
eye and said, <span style="color: red;">"Not a damn thing!"<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>Tom Forgatschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14300548600584731593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492671389499478625.post-14100602363659242332011-11-15T08:49:00.001-08:002011-11-15T08:53:01.551-08:00APPLE-CRANBERRY BREAD RECIPE!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_H-KnM1uX9fjOQGDpH6EmOgwN6A-InKjN9AZo1UiHF4QDgM4gjqDcneaxa_8Jwy4vTpfu8qDnltUjTR5O7eK79OMcCx_QPnazdVabVeLyKE4YVHATgOwX5qNRYcOnkLxeS7qlgAWqDM/s1600/cranberry-apple-bread%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_H-KnM1uX9fjOQGDpH6EmOgwN6A-InKjN9AZo1UiHF4QDgM4gjqDcneaxa_8Jwy4vTpfu8qDnltUjTR5O7eK79OMcCx_QPnazdVabVeLyKE4YVHATgOwX5qNRYcOnkLxeS7qlgAWqDM/s1600/cranberry-apple-bread%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I recently scored this
recipe for Apple Cranberry Bread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seems like the perfect thing for a rainy
Tuesday!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2 cups peeled/chopped
apples<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 cup sugar<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2 tablespoons oil<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 egg<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 1/2 cups flour<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 1/2 teaspoons baking
powder<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1/2 teaspoon baking soda<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 teaspoon cinnamon<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 cup fresh or frozen
cranberries<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1/2 cup chopped walnuts<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Preheat oven to 350.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grease loaf pan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Combine apples, sugar and
oil in a medium bowl. Add egg, mixing well. Combine dry ingredients in a
separate mixing bowl. Add to apple mixture. Mix just until the dry ingredients
are moist. Stir in cranberries and walnuts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Spread batter evenly in
loaf pan. Bake for 30 -40 min. or until a toothpick inserted into the center of
the bread comes out clean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Makes 1 loaf.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And don't blame the waistline on me!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Tom Forgatschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14300548600584731593noreply@blogger.com0