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| VacaChat News | Vriends News | Zorro's Corner | Recommended Watching | Fun Stuff | Newsletter Archives | Vaca Shopping |
July 27, 2014
More graphics and buttons, courtesy of VacaDude, coming soon!
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| Broadcast Schedule |
Channel Links |
Important News |
| Broadcast Schedule |
| Today!!! Sunday, July 27, 2014 |
| 3 PM PST/6 PM PST |
| No Story Writing. We’ll write again in August (date TBA). |
| 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, August 3, 2014 |
| 3 PM PST/6 PM PST |
| No Story Writing. We’ll write again in August (date TBA). |
| 6 PM PST/9 PM EDT |
| VacaChat Broadcast
pending (TBA).
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 |
| VacaChat Broadcast Changes |
| Changes in the upcoming broadcast may be necessary. Check back to this site for more information later in the week. If changes are necessary, a "Breaking News" email will be sent, as well. |
| VacaVideo DVD |
| The DVD's have been sent. If you haven't received it already, please let us know. If you want one and did not order it yet, contact VacaDude soon. |
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Chatter News |
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| A Note from the Dude | Chatter News |
Prayer Requests |
Vaca Blog |
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| Hello Vriends, | ||
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Greetings from the land of
heat, smoke, and fire. It has been a nasty week for fires, and the smoke
has been swirling around the central valley. I think it may soon be time
to break out the rain dance again. Anyone remember the television show "High Chaparral"? It was a western series that ran from 1967 to 1971--created by the same guy who created "Bonanza." I grew up watching both those shows, but I especially enjoyed High Chaparral. Well, the Inspiration Channel has been running something they call "Saddle Up Saturdays" in which they run a bunch of old western episodes from Big Valley, High Chaparral, Bonanza, and The Virginian. We watched it from time to time, and then that network got into a dispute with DirectTV (our dish company), and they dropped the channel, much to our disappointment. Well, last week we learned that the Inspiration Channel was back on DirectTV. So yesterday I thought I might watch me some Chaparral. So I started watching the first few minutes, and quickly realized they were showing the very first two episodes of the series. I am pretty sure I had never seen these--they went a long way toward explaining a whole lot of the whole back-story of all the characters. So needless to say, some of my productive hours for Saturday were shot. I sat and watched two straight hours, and enjoyed it a whole lot! It really explained a lot of the protogenesis of the show. I guess when I watched it with my parents, we must have come into it part-way through its run, because I am pretty sure I never saw these first episodes. It's nice to have my Saturday afternoon indulgence of TV westerns back. The broadcast last week was a bit dicey. I really hate what they have done with the free version of the broadcaster software. So I am definitely going to be looking around at other services. I suspect that Ustream may have deemed that most of the troubles people have are the result of too narrow a bandwidth of broadcasters, so they may be trying to squeeze us low-band folks out. Just a suspicion. Speaking of broadcasts, I don't know how apparent it has been on the receiving end, but I know some of you have noticed an odd lump on the right cheek of my face. Well, this upcoming Friday I am scheduled for minor surgery to have it removed. They will run a biopsy on it after the procedure, so I'm going to be keeping my fingers crossed. As a result, I don't think I am going to be able to broadcast next week (August 3rd), and then the week after that I have a wedding to go to in Chico. I've never had anything like this done, so I'm not sure what the situation is going to be like in terms of stitches and such. I wish I could have had it done sooner, but this is the earliest they could fit me in. Hopefully I can use this time to figure out some better arrangement with the broadcast options. I'll keep you posted as to when the next broadcast is. So anyway, I hope everyone has a good week, and I'll talk with you soon! |
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| Cheers, VacaDude | ||
| Chatter News |
| Sharoot | Sharoot's featured pictures can be found
at the end of each newsletter, under Photos of the
Week. She says that since they are located at the end, then "Sharoot's
the Caboose!" Sharoot's Caboose today features a wonderful story of Sharoot and her granddaughter! |
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| Elsalynda | Elsalynda's latest column entitled Nature in the
City: Hot Town, Summer In the the City , is available online here: http://waltham.wickedlocal.com/article/20140722/News/140729896 |
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| We got this message from elsa this week: Hi all, I miss you all very much indeed. My computer problem is not technical—it is a health issue. Since the exposure to my new laptop after my old one died, I have borrowed or used multiple loaners from friends and family, but each one has given me serious symptoms, such as losing my voice the next or the same day—not a good thing for a singer. I got environmental illness over 30 years ago from working in a sick high school building and it has seriously compromised my life. I am chipping away at this problem. I will borrow an iPad to see how I do with that and may get a refurbished laptop to try from a shop if they will let me test it for a week or so. I have over the years tried at least 30 alternative pathways to improved health, but none have worked. I just stay away from anything that bothers me. I am about to launch myself into a new experimental program to see if I can get better. Wish me luck and send prayers, please. With this illness, I have had you all, the ustream sites, chats and social life and support, and my current voice teacher comes to my home. Now my two at-home passions are not compatible and it is discouraging to say the least. Also, my writing of poetry and my column is on the computer and my docs are all over the place. Anyway, don't forget me. I am trying and trying to solve these problems. Love you all. Your elsalynda |
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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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| Littleguys | LittleGuys had a lumpectomy on Thursday, July 17 and has another procedure scheduled for tomorrow, July 28. She is still requesting prayers. Her doctor says she will probably do six weeks of radiation. She wants all to know that even when she can't make it to chat, she's thinking of everyone. | ||
| 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 | As you can see above in the Chatter News, Elsa is in need of prayers for her continuing battle with an acquired environmental illness. | ||
| GentleDoe | A brief update and again a request for prayers. She's still going back and forth between her house and her mother's, trying to care for her own pets and her mother. Her mother has heart problems and has had a difficult time since her father's stroke. Her father is still in Assisted Living and he longs to come home. He cries every time they talk to him. Due to transportation problems Doe and her mom have not been able to visit with him but a few times. A family member is adding to these difficulties. Doe is requesting prayers for her and her parents and for relief from the interference of this family member. She's struggling with Social Security issues and the daily transportation problems to her home to care for her birds. She does not want to have to give up the birds. Tory just turned 18! They have been together since he was 4 months old. She request that we please keep her and her family in prayer. She wants to thank all of the Vaca/Molly family for their love, support and prayers during this very difficult time. If you want to contact her, you can do so at faith.bun.2012@gmail.com | ||
| 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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| Recipe of the Week |
| A Message from Zorro |
| Hello there, Everbuddy! | ||
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It is I, Zorro the Mouse, writing to you from the hot
central valley! This heat reminds me of where I came
from--Mexico, and then San Marcos, California. I think the
Dude, on the other hand, is not too happy with these
temperatures. He's only ever lived up in the northern part
of the state. He's a big sissy in that regard.
It means I get the workshop all to myself in the afternoons. You see, out in the garage it gets very hot on these sunny days--just like a hot car parked in the sun. So he pretty much has to bail out of there by noon. I, on the other hand, can go until about 1:30. Yes, it tends to get even too hot for me. But with that extra time I can work unsupervised, so I that is when I make progress on my nefarious and diabolical plans of building a omnipotent, cheese-seeking robot. I plan to gather all of the cheese in the entire world! MuaHAhaHAhaHAAAAAAA!!!! So far I've managed to make one knuckle. I guess I have a ways to go, then. I am hoping the Dude is going to take me to Chico with him. I have heard the place has some association with Velveeta cheese, which I find to be very yummy. Hopefully I can figure out what's going on with that!
Well, I need to
get back out into the garage to do some more work on my
Cheez-Droid. A very happy week to you all!!
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| Yours Most Whiskerly, Zorro |
| StoryTime News |
| Next StoryTime | August ? (Date TBA) 3:00 PM PDT/6:00 PM EDT |
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| Title | TBA | ||
| 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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Today, we bring you something different in recipes. These are "copycat" or "knock-off" recipes
that I think you'll like. They're simple and make it easy for you to control the salt and/or sugar
levels and also eliminate the HFCS (high-fructose corn syrup) for those who try to avoid it.
| Knock-Off Claussen Pickles | |||
| Ingredients | |||
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FOR THE BRINE: use
canning or pickling salt)
(optional) vegetable
brush or dried dill weed for the gallon)
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| Directions | |||
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You can make this recipe in a single one-gallon jar or in four one-quart jars. Sterilize your jar(s) by immersing them in boiling water. Remove from the boiling water and place on a clean, dry towel. In a large, nonreactive pan, place the water, vinegar, salt, minced onion, peppercorns, pickling spice and crushed red pepper flakes. Bring the brine to a boil to dissolve the salt, then allow to cool. If using fresh dill, add it to the sterilized jars along with the garlic cloves. Small cucumber can be left whole. Slice larger cucumbers lengthwise into quarters or eighths; pack into the sterilized jars along with the dill and garlic cloves. If you are using more than one jar, strain the solids from the brine by pouring the brine into another large pan, using a fine-mesh colander to trap the seasonings. Stir the seasonings in the colander to mix well, then using a spoon evenly distribute them between the jars you are using. Pour the cooled brine over pickles. Put the lid on the jar, and turn the pickles a few times to distribute the seasoning through the pickles. Loosen the lid and allow to sit on the counter for three days, shaking or turning them occasionally, On the fourth day, refrigerate the pickles. The experts say these pickles will keep in the refrigerator for a year…ours don't last long enough to test that theory. *wink* *Note: Table salt contain iodine which will cloud the brine and add a metallic taste to the pickles. Use salt specifically formulated for pickling. If you like your pickles saltier, you can increase the salt to as much as ½ cup. The smaller pickling cucumbers work best, but larger ones can be used, as well. Unless you grow your cucumbers yourself or get them directly from a farmer or gardener, they will likely be coated with wax. Scrub this wax off completely before pickling. |
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Homemade Tomato Ketchup |
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2 cans
tomato purée |
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Directions |
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Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Stir
until the sugar is completely dissolved. |
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| Owl Cams |
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Other Nature Cams | Video Picks of the Week | Inspiration | ||||||
| Other Bird Cams |
| 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 |
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http://www.africam.com/wildlife/black_eagle_webcam The first egg hatched on June 6!. |
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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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California Condor San Diego Zoo Safari Park San Diego, California |
http://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/cams/condor-cam | |||
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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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http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ostrich-egg-cam-live | ||
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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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| Other Sites of Interest | ||||
| International Space Station Links | ||||
| During a recent
broadcast the Dude talked about the websites where one can view the
spacestation and the view that the astronauts have. Here are the links: This one has the map, but no chat. http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/HDEV/ This site has a chat room. http://www.ustream.tv/channel/iss-hdev-payload |
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| Trees | ||||
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Jes shares with us this wonderful page of photos
illustrating nature's wonders. Trees | Dusky's Wonders |
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| Intricately Carved Bench | ||||
| Jes also shared with us this photo of an
intricately carved bench. Can you imagine how many hours of labor went
into this creation? Hundon informs us that the sculptor works in the UK and if you follow this link you can see the bench from all sides. You can also see many more of his works. They are all incredible. http://www.treesculpting.co.uk/g_oakowlbench.html |
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| Video Picks of the Week |
Top Secret Drum Corps
The top secret drum corps is a
drummer group from Switzerland. Due to their military bearing, it would be easy
to assume this is an army band, but these 25 drummers are actually regular
citizens - bankers, government and factory workers who spice up their quiet
routines with intense drumming. This next performance was given at the Royal
Edinburgh Military Tattoo festival in August 2009.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJVdnMAGIt8
Mating Dances
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=lMbDjNDD4cM
Beautiful Nature - Deep Sea
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssutK1Gei4A
Bird Does NOT Like a Short Tail
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJIUNNssSVg
PLEASE Go To Sleep
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLErNXIYjMg
Dancing Bats
1. Film bats hanging upside down.
2. Flip footage.
3. Add music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ce_v8l4ie0Y&app=desktop
| Inspiration or Things to Make You Think |
What Does Love Look Like?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18QFJEuPYdM
Can You Trust Your Brain?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9IrQYCN5Uo
First Fish
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD5OJeLeunc
Incredible!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxTznDRixpw
Aug(De)Mented Reality
Using a unique animation technique that
combines traditional animation and special transparent cells,
Hombre McSteez turns everyday life into an odd cartoon universe full of crazy, hilarious characters.
A joy to watch and I must say: kudos
to this man's imagination!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpum4nK2wOM
World's largest tuba
http://www.classicfm.com/music-news/latest-news/worlds-largest-tuba/
Who Invented the Internet? And Why?
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Fun Animations and Pictures |
Photos of the Week |
Zorro's Word of the Week | |||||
| Just for the Fun of It |
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Owloween Card
http://jennicanknit.blogspot.com/2011/10/owloween.html
Owl Zipper Pouch
http://craftbits.com/project/easy-sewing-project-owl-zipper-pouch/
Owl Pumpkin
http://www.favecrafts.com/Halloween-Crafts/Owl-Painted-Halloween-Pumpkin/ct/1
Felt Owls
http://charlottesfancy.com/2009/09/18/family-friday-owl-licious-crafts/
Bird Nest Ornament
http://www.favecrafts.com/Ornaments/Bird-Nest-Clay-Pot-Christmas-Ornaments/ct/1
Owl Gift Bag
http://jennicanknit.blogspot.com/2012/09/owl-gift-bag.html
| Fun Animations and Pictures |
Not So Well Trained
MUST Destroy!
Socially Awkward Penguin
Where's Air Traffic Control When You Need 'Em?
Why? Why Did I Have So Many Kids?
Out For a Stroll
| Photos of the Week |
From the Dude
A nice fireworks photo. It's one I took from Pizza Puck's
Sharoot's Caboose
Sharoot and the Ant Queen
I had a call from my 5 year old granddaughter one day last week.
"Nan" she said, "Can you make me an ant costume?"
I questioned "An ant costume?" thinking I may not have heard correctly.
"Yes, an ant costume. I need it for when I play ant town." was her reply.
I told her I was pretty good at making quilts, but had never made a costume,
but I'd see what I could come up with.
She said, "Thank you Nan." and handed the phone to her Dad, my son.
He was laughing hysterically and said, "Mom, I had no idea what she was going to ask you."
I questioned him about her "ant town" and he told me that while he was cooking dinner on the grill
she was playing with some ants in the yard. (Fortunately, there are no fire ants where they live!)
When I spoke with her Mom I leaned that she wanted to be the Ant Queen.
So I put my one brain cell into high gear and came up with this.
(I can't help but wonder whether this is the sort of thing
our dear BugGirl used to do as a child…)
| Zorro's Word of the Week |
Coming Soon!
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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.
