| Welcome to VacaChat |
| Where Vriends Gather |
 |
Vriends News |
 |
Recommended Watching |
Fun Stuff |
Newsletter Archives |
Vaca Shopping |
Contact |
May 4, 2014
More graphics and buttons, courtesy of VacaDude, coming soon!
 |
| Broadcast Schedule |
Channel Links |
Important News |
| Broadcast Schedule |
| Today!!! Sunday, May 4, 2014 |
| 3 PM PST/6 PM PST |
| No Story Writing. We’ll write again on May 11. |
| 6 PM PST/9 PM EDT |
| No VacaChat Broadcast.
The chat room will be open at 6:00 PDT (9:00 EDT—8:00 CDT). |
| Upcoming!!! Sunday, May 11, 2014 |
| Watch for a possible rescheduling of storytime and
the broadcast! A "Breaking News" email will be sent if there are changes. |
| 3 PM PST/6 PM PST |
| Story Writing. Hoo's a Storyteller? |
| 6 PM PST/9 PM EDT |
| VacaChat Broadcast.
Join us for much hilarity and mirth. |
| Channel Links |
| Channel Links |
| VacaChannel |
| http://www.ustream.tv/channel/vacadude |
| Pop-Out |
| If you want to view the chat or video in pop-out screens, use the links below. Some find that this places less stress on their computer and/or its memory. |
| Video: http://www.ustream.tv/channel-popup/vacadude |
|
|
|
|
| If you use the pop-out links, it is recommended that you open two browser windows. That way, if one needs to be refreshed, the other is not affected. |
| Important News |
| VacaVideo DVD |
| If you want one of the Dude's new DVDs (and who wouldn't?) email him soon so he knows how many to make. If you are interested, please email him soon at John@vacadude.com. A $7 contribution, which is strictly voluntary, is recommended. This should cover the cost of shipping and the disc materials. However, you will receive your disc whether you add a contribution or not. |
| Vriends News |
 |
Chatter News |
 |
VacaBlog |
 |
| Hello Vriends, | ||
|
Welcome to the month of May, and Happy Star
Wars Day!!! (By way of the fact that it is May the 4th. May the
4th be with you--get it??) | ||
| Cheers, VacaDude |
| Chatter News |
| Ann Savage | Ann shares with us this wonderful news: “My latest news is that we have a new grandbaby on the way [due mid August], and the doctor thinks it's a girl! She'll be our third grandchild, joining cousins Lucas, 13, and Adrian, 3. :)” Congratulations to Ann and her family. | ||||
| Elsalynda | Elsalynda's latest column entitled Nature in the
City: Spring arrives in Waltham?, is available online here: http://waltham.wickedlocal.com/article/20140408/NEWS/140408516/?tag=1 |
||||
| Elsa is in need of a good, used Windows 7 computer (4 years old or newer). Her computer died and she bought a new one (top of the line) but the materials and chemicals used in making this new computer are causing her health problems. The new one is available for purchase or trade. | |||||
| Wolfgirl | Wolfgirl shares with us news of her new pets. "The rats are sisters, and will be 5 months old on the 12th. The mostly-black one with the funny ears is Morrigan. She's braver and friendlier, and likes to be picked up and tickled. The black-and-white one with normal ears is Linda, she's much more shy. Once she warms up to a person, she likes to climb on shoulders, but doesn't like to be pet. I'm attaching the best photos I have, but neither of them likes to hold still." | ||||
 |
 |
 |
|||
| We'd love to include more news of VacaChatters. If you have something you'd like to share (something about you or your family) or if you know of exciting news about another chatter that they're just too shy to share, please send it to us! (We won’t run it without that chatter’s permission, however.) | |||||
 |
| ChatterChopz | ChatterChopz' ankle is getting a bit better—still somewhat swollen, still painful and now her ankle and foot are turning all kinds of funky colors. The final radiology report indicated there was no breakage, so we're only dealing with a bad sprain. She is now out of the splint and allowed to use her foot a bit for walking. We've returned the wheelchair and only use the walker when she had to go out of the home. It's still an estimated 6-week recovery time. Keep CC (and her parents) in your prayers. | ||
| Caboval | Caboval is in need of our prayers for her dog, Joey. You can read more about Joey and his struggles here: http://gfwd.at/1n8NU0h. | ||
| UPDATE on Joey! Caboval writes: “Joey is in remission but the chemo almost killed him. He was in liver failure and the Dr gave him a 50/50 chance to live. He made it through that and we have had 3 really good weeks. He was so happy and acting like a puppy, but now he is starting to not eat again and he vomited today so I don't know… It's a rollercoaster. I have a feeling he is having liver issues again. I do really need those prayers!!!” | |||
| Elsalynda | Elsalynda is also in need of prayers. She is asking for prayers for good care and caring from her primary care physician. Elsa reports that at her last visit, her physician "was at least civil and apologetic." She also reports that her back issues are improving and thanks everyone for their prayers and support. Continue to keep Elsa and her doctor in your prayers. | ||
| GentleDoe | GentleDoe says her father is recovering. He has moved to a rehab facility. Doe is trying desperately to juggle being with her mother and yet also caring for her birds and other animals. She especially needs prayers about the financial situation and some rather difficult family dynamics. With no transportation and having to rely on others for rides, this has been very difficult for her. The whole family is still in need of our prayers. | ||
| Jes and Miss Jonesy | Both Jes, and her furkid, Miss Jonesy, are battling health issues and undergoing various tests and procedures. Let's keep both of them in our prayers. | ||
| Shari in Memphis | UPDATE!!! Just received this from Shari: "So kind of you to keep prayers going for me. I was hospitalized in November for an event (that just yesterday my doc said was severe enough that it could have killed me) and have pretty much been sick ever since. I'm trying to be patient as doc said it would take 6 months to a year, to fully recover." | ||
| Thank you for your prayers and good thoughts for owl our wonderful VacaFamily members! If you have any prayer requests, updates or news of answered prayers, please let us know. Email us with the information so it can be included in the next newsletter. | |||
|
Check out VacaDude's blog! Don't forget to send VacaDude your comments to let him know how much you appreciate him, his time & his talent! |
||
| http://vacadude.wordpress.com/ |
 |
| A
Message from Zorro |
StoryTime News |
StoryTime Archives |
 |
| A Message from Zorro |
| Hello there, Everbuddy! | ||
|
Has anyone seen the Dude? I keep waiting for him to come out to the
kitchen (that's where I usually hang out), but he hasn't come out of
his room lately. I'm beginning to wonder if he has run off to join
the circus. Not sure which act he would be best at...I may have to
give that one some thought. Last I saw him was yesterday, when we watched the Kentucky Derby. That was fun, and you should have seen my hat! It had lots of flowers and stuff on it. I think it looked very festive. However, I found the horse race itself to be a bit underwhelming. I mean, horses running around in a circle? And they didn't even have anything chasing them! If they want to see an exciting race, they should have the "Zorro Race Out the Door of the Owl Box Derby." That one would be good because it is more like a triathlon. You have the dash across the floor, then the parachuting to the ground, then the marathon through the thick jungle of the cauliflower patch. But does NBC ever cover THAT? Of course they don't. Harrumph. Oh well, I guess it looks like we will be doing StoryTiming next week, so I hope to see you all there. Until then, I wish you all a fun and cheese-filled week! |
||
| Yours Most Whiskerly, Zorro |
| StoryTime News |
| Next StoryTime | Sunday, May 11, 2014 3:00 PM PDT/6:00 PM EDT |
||
| Title | Hoo's a Storyteller? | ||
| Invitation | We need story writers! Please consider dropping in and checking out the fun we have writing the stories. Honestly, it's not at all difficult to join in and you'll surely be glad you did. | ||
 |
Correction in last week's recipe for "Cowboy Beans"
It should have read 2 (two) pounds of ground beef, not 22 (twenty-two) pounds!
| Southern Style Pulled Pork BBQ | |||
| Ingredients | |||
|
Pork Roast (approximately 5 pounds) 1 tablespoon salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 1½ cups cider vinegar 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 tablespoon hot sauce 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes*
|
 |
||
| Directions | |||
|
Put roast in slow cooker and sprinkle salt and pepper
over. Pour cider vinegar over. Cover with lid and cook on low for twelve
hours (or overnight). Remove pork roast and shred with forks (this will be
very easy). Drain juices from slow cooker, reserving two cups of
liquid.
Return pork to slow cooker. To the reserved liquid add: Brown sugar, hot sauce,
and crushed pepper flakes. Stir well. Pour over shredded pork and place
lid back on. Place on low or warm setting until ready to serve. Can be
made ahead of time and refrigerated, reheating in the microwave. *This
sauce is not spicy. If you prefer a spicier sauce double the hot sauce
and crushed red pepper flakes. Add more to taste. |
|||
|
Beefy Mexican Rice |
|||
| Ingredients | |||
|
1½ pounds ground beef 2 onions, chopped 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 can Mexican flavored diced tomatoes (or plain diced
tomatoes) 1 can diced chilis and tomatoes 1 can Mexican corn (or ½ bag frozen corn) Water 2 packets taco seasoning mix (divided) 1½ cups long grain rice 1 can kidney beans or black beans 1 can refried beans Shredded Cheddar or Mexican blend cheese 1 tablespoon butter Shredded lettuce Sour Cream Black Olives |
 |
||
|
Directions |
|||
|
Brown ground beef with onions and garlic until no
longer pink. We usually do this in a big bowl in the microwave. Drain
well. Open one can Mexican tomatoes (or diced tomatoes),
one can chilis and tomatoes and one can of Mexican corn (or ½ bag frozen
corn). Drain well – reserve all juice in a big measuring cup. Add tomatoes and corn to the meat Add enough water to the measuring cup to make 3 cups. Pour water, and 1½ packets of taco seasoning into
meat. Add 1½ cups rice to the meat. Mix WELL. Cover tightly. Microwave for 18 minutes, or cook on
stovetop until rice is done. While the rice is cooking, open 1 cans of kidney or
black beans. Do not drain or rinse. Place in large bowl. Use a fork to mash them a bit.
Add one can of refried beans. Mash in the ½ packet of taco seasoning
remaining. Add some shredded cheese and a tablespoon of butter. When rice is done, top with some shredded cheese and
microwave for a minute or so until cheese is melted. Serve beans and rice with shredded lettuce, cheese,
sour cream and black olives.
|
|||
| Recommended Watching |
| Owl Cams |
 |
Other Nature Cams | Video Picks of the Week | Inspiration |
| Owl Cams |
 |
| Puffins | ||||
 |
Shetland Islands Puffins | http://www.shetland.org/puffincam/ | ||
 |
Sea Island, Maine |
http://explore.org/live-cams/player/puffin-burrow-cam | ||
 |
Sea Island, Maine |
http://explore.org/live-cams/player/puffin-loafing-ledge-cam These pages also contain links to numerous other nature cams. |
||
| Eagles | ||||
 |
Black Eagle |
http://www.africam.com/wildlife/black_eagle_webcam Emoyeni (the black eagle) is set to return and start re-building her nest in anticipation of a new breeding season. She has been spotted on the nest several times in the last few days, so be on the lookout! |
||
 |
Decorah Eagles |
http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles | ||
 |
Berry College Eagle Cam |
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/berry-eagle-cam | ||
| http://www.pixcontroller.com/eagles/index.htm | ||||
| Peregrine Falcons | ||||
 |
PA Falcon Cam |
http://www.pacast.com/players/falcon.asp | ||
 |
Commerce Tower Peregrines |
http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/wildlife-cameras/peregrine-falcon-web-camera Cam not live now but should be returning soon. |
||
 |
Pitt Peregrine Falcon |
http://www.aviary.org/PF-NestCam1 | ||
 |
Gulf Tower Peregrine Falcon |
http://www.aviary.org/PF-NestCam2 | ||
 |
Emily
Falcon Cam |
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/emily-falcon-cam | ||
 |
RFalconCam |
http://rfalconcam.com/rfc-main/ | ||
| Talking Birds | ||||
 |
Watch the Birdie |
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/Watch-the-Birdie | ||
 |
Disco |
https://www.youtube.com/user/MsJumpinJude/videos | ||
| Other Birds | ||||
 |
||||
 |
Whidbey Island Back Porch other assorted birds |
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/katersch | ||
 |
Hellgate Ospreys |
http://cams.allaboutbirds.org/channel/27/Hellgate_Ospreys/ | ||
 |
Ostrich Chicks |
|||
 |
Streaming Bird Cams |
http://www.beakspeak.com/ | ||
| Other Nature Cams |
| Pandas | ||||
 |
San Diego Zoo Pandas |
www.sandiegozoo.org (click
on live cams)
or
http://www.ustream.tv/sandiegozoo. Zoo's
blogs: http://blognew.sandiegozoo.org/category/animals-and-plants/giant-pandas/ |
||
 |
Twin Pandas at |
|||
 |
Giant Panda Cam |
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/webcams/giant-panda.cfm | ||
| Bears | ||||
 |
Kansas City Polar Bears |
http://www.kctv5.com/category/244581/nikita-berlin-polar-bear-cam | ||
 |
Brown Bears and Salmon |
http://explore.org/#!/live-cams/player/brown-bear-salmon-cam-brooks-falls (lots of other cams at this site, as well) |
||
 |
Black Bears |
http://www.bear.org/website/live-cameras/live-cameras/holly-bears-den-cam-live.html | ||
| Other Animal and Nature Sites | ||||
 |
San Diego Zoo and Safari Park |
http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/ | ||
 |
The Pet Collective |
http://www.thepetcollective.tv/livestreams/ | ||
 |
Critter Chat Cams |
|||
 |
Friends of Felines Rescue
Center |
www.ustream.tv/ffrc | ||
 |
Little House |
|||
 |
CC's Page of Links (scheduled for updating) |
|||
| Video Picks of the Week |
Music and Humor!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKezUd_xw20
Audubon's Birds of America
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElD_Qx_lPls&feature=player_embedded
Why are some animals so ugly?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nYpVlTdr3I
Why Are Babies So Cute?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rALJido4iI&feature=youtu.be
(and some bonus cuteness—http://www.ba-bamail.com/Content.aspx?emailid=9624&memberid=824309#.U1Q8YFeM55c
Flashwaltz!
Forty students from the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance took a classical approach to the flashmob.
As they flashwaltzed Tchaikovsky's Waltz of the Flowers (also from the classic 'The Nutcracker'),
doctors, patients and passers-by joined in the fun!
The surprise concert was part of Good Deeds Day, an annual event that began in
2007
and now takes place in over 50 countries worldwide.
On this day volunteers reach out to the less fortunate and
the vulnerable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzwWskM4hN8#t=78
True Facts About The Octopus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st8-EY71K84
Alarm Clocks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SR7LLryFqg
| Inspiration or Things to Make You Think |
My Shoes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SolGBZ2f6L0#t=220
The Writer
http://www.chonday.com/Videos/the-writer-automaton
Unsung Hero
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaWA2GbcnJU
Here!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw9g9OVHdJI
What is it?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNK6h1dfy2o
Visit Over 500 Major Cities in the World!
http://www.ba-bamail.com/Content.aspx?emailid=9116&memberid=824309#.Uy1rVlea-1Q
| Fun Stuff |
 |
Fun Animations and Pictures |
Photos of the Week |
Zorro's Word of the Week |
 |
Colorful Patterned Owls
http://www.iheartcraftythings.com/2012/10/colorful-patterned-owls.html
Little Black Owl
http://www.justcraftyenough.com/2011/09/project-little-black-owl/
Owl Paper Cup Project
http://www.favecrafts.com/Rainy-Day-Crafts/Owl-Paper-Cup/ct/1
Mixed Media Owl Project
http://www.thatartistwoman.org/2010/09/owl-projects-take-2.html
Cute Owl Cake
http://www.bhg.com/recipe/cute-owl-cake/
Owl Postcard
http://www.favecrafts.com/Green-Crafting/Owl-Sponge-Postcard/ct/1
| Fun Animations and Pictures |
I May Be Slow, But I'm Sneaky
Just Chillin'
And…some bonus adorableness
(just because it's too cute NOT to share and it made me grin all day)
I'll Give Myself A Lift
Extreme Dumpster Diving
Testing the Waters
The Art of Misdirection
| Photos of the Week |
From the Dude
The blood moon eclipse from last week
From Sharoot
My husband took these while we were in Ticonderoga, NY two
weeks ago.
Meet Mr. Daddy Osprey fixing dinner for his lovely wife, Mrs. Mommy-to-be
Osprey.
| Zorro's Word of the Week |
Coming Soon!
| Vaca Shopping |
VacaShopping for Summer
Time to prepare for summer! T-Shirts, BBQ Aprons and Mugs await you!
VacaDude’s creations are sure to be treasured gifts for those special people in your lives.
Check them all out at VacaDude's CafePress store! Support our beloved
artist/broadcaster/friend!
http://www.cafepress.com/vacadude
MollyTheOwlBooks
Eric has discontinued the sales of all his books and merchandise.
of that and want one, let DotRot know
and she'll do what she can to make it available to you.
