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May 18, 2014
More graphics and buttons, courtesy of VacaDude, coming soon!
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| Broadcast Schedule |
Channel Links |
Important News |
| Broadcast Schedule |
| Today!!! Sunday, May 18, 2014 |
| 3 PM PST/6 PM PST |
| No Story Writing. We’ll write again on June 1. |
| 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 25, 2014 |
| 3 PM PST/6 PM PST |
| No Story Writing. We’ll write again on June 1. |
| 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). |
| 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 |
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| 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 |
| The DVD's have been sent. If you haven't received it already, you should have it in a day or so. If you want one and did not order it yet, contact VacaDude soon. |
| Vriends News |
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Chatter News |
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| Hello Vriends, | ||
| It has been a busy week here, with work on the
Vietnam documentary taking up the first half, and getting the DVDs
mailed out in the second half. Yes, it is true--I sent out one batch on
Thursday, then the rest on Friday. So if you haven't already gotten
your, it should arrive first part of the week. And of course, if
anything is missing or doesn't play properly, just let me know at my
e-mail: john@vacadude.com. Then yesterday Mary and I treated ourselves to a day out. We attended our very first Maker Faire in San Mateo! This is a weekend-long event of crafts, electronics, agriculture...anything that is Do-It-Yourself. Lots of talented folks making amazing things--they call it the Greatest Show (& Tell) On Earth. For a tinkerer and bit of an inventor such as myself, it was a day in hog heaven. It is a show that has a large amount of crossover with the Burning Man event that they have in the Nevada desert every year. I've never been to Burning Man, but I think this is the next best thing. We got to see a lot of things, including an electric giraffe, a rock band performing with gigantic Tesla coils, a fire-breathing mechanical octopus, a replica of Captain Nemo's "Nautilus", glass-blowing, blacksmithing, bee-keeping, homemade musical instruments, and a LOT more. We usually never get to attend, because they always hold it around this same weekend, which is right next to our anniversary. But we decided to give it a go, and it was so much fun. I hope we can make a yearly thing of it from now on. Well, it is time to get some more work done. Sundays are for catching up! Have a great week, everyone. |
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| Cheers, VacaDude | ||
| p.s. Oh, and some of you have asked about the fate of my 2nd computer system, which ominously shut down on me last week just before the VacaChat. I spent some time on it early in the week, and it is still flatlined. My next step is to break it all down and start pulling cards out and re-seating them. If that doesn't work, I'll just about be out of options. At the very least, I should be able to pull the drives and get the data off of them. That has been a hard-working machine for a shade over a decade, so I can't say I am surprised...but it sure picked a bad time to leave. :( | ||
| Chatter News |
I'll start off the Chatter News tonight with all the news I've received from our
friends in and around the San Diego area where the wildfires have been rampaging.
Here are the responses in the order received.
At the time of this writing, it appears that all is well with all of our friends there.
I apologize if I got a chat name wrong or didn't include the chat name.
| Donna Royal | We are fine where we live. Fire is south of us about 4 miles away and not headed our way. Going south and west | ||
| Carlos Royal | All is well | ||
| Lois Fusco | Doing ok here. We live in the south part of the county. Been praying. | ||
| Caboval | Fire is close to me in San Marcos about a mile away. But the planes have arrived and the smoke is white so hopefully they have the upper hand. Its very scary here! My bags are packed though! | ||
| VacaDude | My best friend Jerald lives a little
closer to the fire than Carlos & Donna (you could nearly throw a rock
between their homes), but I'm glad to hear Carlos say the wind is
blowing away from them. That's one thing I was not able to determine
from the weather reports--which way the wind was going. and later that day… I just got a text message from my friend Jerald, and he sent me pictures from his bedroom that are terrifying. He is closer than I thought--about two miles from the fire. However, the winds are currently favorable. |
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| MartieSD | I am about seven miles from the
wildfire in Lakeside. I can see the smoke and I am a bit apprehensive as
the firefighters are stretched a bit thin. So far, I am all right but
would appreciate prayers for me and my cat, Tessa. As far as news about the fire in Lakeside, the winds are dying down a bit, and that will help so very much and hopefully more help will be sent soon. Thank you for your concern and your prayers. |
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| LittleGuys | First of all, yes, I live in Lakeside
off of Interstate 8. One of the smaller, newer fires is near the Los
Coches exit from Interstate 8 on the north side of the interstate and
west of Los Coches. From Los Coches, you would have to travel two more
exits, or approx 7 miles to get to my neighborhood. I am not even
getting the smoke. My house was one of 2500 that burned up in the 2003
Cedar Fire, but fire fighting has changed since then and the fires we
are having are totally different than the 2003 fire storm. One bit of news that might be of interest to you: The Helen Woodward Center is a major animal health facility east of Del Mar. Yesterday, they put out a plea for transportation help because they had over 400 animals to evacuate. Most were animals from the adoption center and were in crates and cages. They also had farm animals, Therapy Horses from the horsemanship for the handicapped type program, and horses that were in their hospital. Of note, in past years, three of my horses have has surgery there. Anyway, arrangements were to take the animals to Sea World - and you thought they only did killer whale shows. |
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| Nancy | For those who have access to Facebook
there is a San Diego Fires Communications site (San Diego Fires
communication group) where people are checking on family and friends and
posting updates and photos. My daughter and family are in Cardiff, can
see the smoke, are ready to leave if wind shifts. Nancy |
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| Sunshine97 | I live in Oceanside so am between a few of the fires, So far okay but scary day today. | ||
| MomNbeth | I am down the road in Vista and I am safe the fires are all around me. | ||
| Anewday | Appreciate your concern. We live in Fallbrook. All is well regarding our home. | ||
| Below are some photos from Caboval. | |||
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| 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 Blooms in Waltham Amid Chill Winds , is available online here: http://waltham.wickedlocal.com/article/20140513/NEWS/140519854/2012/OPINION |
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| Elsa is in need of a good, used Windows computer (4 years old or newer). Her computer died and she bought a new high end Dell laptop Latitude 6540 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. | ||||
| Sharoot and BugGirl |
Sharoot & BugGirl had a breakfast owlabout Thursday morning. They had an owlsome time! BugGirl had a special gift for Sharoot. You've probably guessed what Sharoot said.... "EEwwwww" | |||
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| 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.) | ||||
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| ChatterChopz | ChatterChopz' ankle is improving, but still causing her a good bit of pain. She's still got a limp. She was unable to return to karate this last week. We'll be getting her back in to see the doctor this week to see if he wants to do more X-rays. | ||
| 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. | |||
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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! |
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| http://vacadude.wordpress.com/ |
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| A
Message from Zorro |
StoryTime News |
StoryTime Archives |
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| A Message from Zorro |
| Hello there, Everbuddy! | ||
|
It is your little pal Zorro here. So the Dude and the Dudette went
to the fancy Faire yesterday, and he came back and showed me
pictures of little mousie armor. And he didn't buy me any!! Man, I
could have used some of that back at my previous home in San Marcos.
I would have liked to have seen McGee try to get ahold of me if I
had been wearing some of that sweet metal! Oh well...maybe the Dude
will make me some. Speaking of San Marcos, I was made a nervous wreck this last week, what with all the news of the fires down there. I hope everyone made it out okay. There were many homes that were lost around San Diego, which is very sad. I am afraid it is going to be a very long summer here in California this year. Hopefully we get lots of rain next winter! I hope you all enjoy the DVDs the Dude sent out this week. There are lots of clips of me on it, as he tried to throw in little clips from StoryTimes and PoetryTimes (including the first PoetryTime, where I read "The Raven"). I hope the Dude can find time to make some more of these--it is kind of fun seeing some of the goofy times we have had! Well, I think I see a nap in my near future. I even see a few in my far future, too! So I will see you all soon... |
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| Yours Most Whiskerly, Zorro |
| StoryTime News |
| Next StoryTime | June 1, 2014 3:00 PM PDT/6:00 PM EDT |
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| Title | To Be Announced | ||
| 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. | ||
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| Refrigerator Pickles | |||
| Ingredients | |||
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10-12 large cucumbers (English, if possible) sliced
thin 10-15 garlic cloves, minced or sliced thin 6 cups vinegar (white or apple cider) 2½ cups sugar
*can substitute celery salt, but reduce salt by 1 tablespoon
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| Directions | |||
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Pack onions and cucumbers into quart containers. Place 1 heaping tablespoon garlic in each container.
Combine vinegar and water. Bring to a boil.
Mix sugar, salt, celery seed and pepper. Evenly divide dry ingredients among the containers (sprinkle over the top of the cucumbers and onions).
If desired, you can also add a little fresh or dried dill weed to each container.
Pour hot brine over each container. Let cool for a bit and then cover and refrigerate. |
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Creamy Ranch Pork Chops and Rice
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1 tablespoon vegetable oil |
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Directions |
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Heat the oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high
heat. Add the pork and cook until browned on both sides. |
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| Recommended Watching |
| Owl Cams |
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Other Nature Cams | Video Picks of the Week | Inspiration |
| Owl Cams |
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| Puffins | ||||
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Shetland Islands Puffins | http://www.shetland.org/puffincam/ | ||
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Sea Island, Maine |
http://explore.org/live-cams/player/puffin-burrow-cam | ||
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Sea Island, Maine |
http://explore.org/live-cams/player/puffin-loafing-ledge-cam These pages also contain links to numerous other nature cams. |
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| Eagles | ||||
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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! |
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Decorah Eagles |
http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles | ||
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Berry College Eagle Cam |
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/berry-eagle-cam | ||
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http://www.pixcontroller.com/eagles/index.htm | |||
| Peregrine Falcons | ||||
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PA Falcon Cam |
http://www.pacast.com/players/falcon.asp | ||
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Commerce Tower Peregrines |
http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/wildlife-cameras/peregrine-falcon-web-camera Cam not live now but should be returning soon. |
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Pitt Peregrine Falcon |
http://www.aviary.org/PF-NestCam1 | ||
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Gulf Tower Peregrine Falcon |
http://www.aviary.org/PF-NestCam2 | ||
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Emily
Falcon Cam |
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/emily-falcon-cam | ||
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RFalconCam |
http://rfalconcam.com/rfc-main/ | ||
| Talking Birds | ||||
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Watch the Birdie |
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/Watch-the-Birdie | ||
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Disco |
https://www.youtube.com/user/MsJumpinJude/videos | ||
| Other Birds | ||||
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KC Zoo Penguin Cam |
http://www.kansascityzoo.org/penguincam |
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Whidbey Island Back Porch other assorted birds |
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/katersch | ||
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Hellgate Ospreys |
http://cams.allaboutbirds.org/channel/27/Hellgate_Ospreys/ | ||
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Ostrich Chicks |
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Streaming Bird Cams |
http://www.beakspeak.com/ | ||
| Other Nature Cams |
| Pandas | ||||
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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/ |
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Twin Pandas at |
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Giant Panda Cam |
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/webcams/giant-panda.cfm | ||
| Bears | ||||
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Kansas City Polar Bears |
http://www.kctv5.com/category/244581/nikita-berlin-polar-bear-cam | ||
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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) |
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Black Bears |
http://www.bear.org/website/live-cameras/live-cameras/holly-bears-den-cam-live.html | ||
| Other Animal and Nature Sites | ||||
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San Diego Zoo and Safari Park |
http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/ | ||
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The Pet Collective |
http://www.thepetcollective.tv/livestreams/ | ||
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Critter Chat Cams |
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Friends of Felines Rescue
Center |
www.ustream.tv/ffrc | ||
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Little House |
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CC's Page of Links (scheduled for updating) |
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| Video Picks of the Week |
Rhapsody in Blue (Gershwin)
Playing 'Rhapsody in Blue' by Gershwin, this child
amazed me with the sounds he's able to get out of a harmonica
at the tender age of 12. He is the winner of the harmonica festival in China, and this is his first
big performance after winning. Who would believe a child could make such great music, what a treat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u-6LzNtkpQ#t=64
Google Maps Street View of
Battleship Island
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5kmKO_gGsc
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
| Inspiration or Things to Make You Think |
Meet Sir Stuffington...
http://www.ba-bamail.com/content.aspx?emailid=5643&source=viral_box#.U2_KNChvA1I
Speaking Exchange
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S-5EfwpFOk
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
| Fun Stuff |
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Fun Animations and Pictures |
Photos of the Week |
Zorro's Word of the Week |
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Can I Get a Hoot-Hoot!?
http://club.chicacircle.com/can-i-get-a-hoot-hoot-owl-treat-bags-free-printable/
Macrame Owl
http://www.thatartistwoman.org/2010/06/macrame-owl-project.html
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
| Fun Animations and Pictures |
And Stay Out!!!
I Am The Walrus
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
| Photos of the Week |
From the Dude
This is a photo that I took at the Maker Faire yesterday--there is this guy who makes insanely cool armor for mice and cats!
From Sharoot
House finches, Indigo bunting, and Gold finches at Sharoot's Birdie Bistro Cafe. The only place these birds like better, is CC's Cafe of course!
| 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.
