Newsletter 08/17/2014

Zorro the mouse here. Well, I stayed home yesterday while the Dude went out to a ranch. I saw some of the pictures he took, and I'm kind of glad that I didn't go there. Too many barn owls and red-tailed hawks and such. And they apparently don't honor the "don't eat each other" agreement we have around here. So I'll just enjoy the pictures, thank you very much!

I'm sorry I don't get to read the StoryTime tonight, but I'm getting ready for next week. I'm going to try to slip a little PoetryTime in, as well. DotRot found some really fun haikus, and I'm trying my hand at writing a few myself. It should be fun!

Things have quieted down in the workshop lately. The Dude has finished a few little projects he was working on, and has begun putting some of the tools away. Time to start focusing more on the job stuff. And for me, time for napping! Too warm to do much else. I swear, it is starting to feel more and more like San Marcos around here all the time.

Well, time to go take my third nap for the day. It's so cozy when I'm all snuggled up with all my furry friends. See you next week!

			Chatter News
	A Note from the Dude		Chatter News		Prayer Requests		Vaca Blog

	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 picture of the Ant Queen and her court (Sharoot's grandchildren) and some pictures of some beautiful (and one rather unwelcome) guests to her garden..

	Jes63	Jes has been trying for quite some time to get a glimpse of the International Space Station as it crosses the sky above her home. This week we got this message from her: *I actually timed it right, working with two web sites, to see the International Space Station pass over.It does go really fast and even at 9:20 pm the sun was still hitting it to view though it was dark here.* Took me forever to time it right. About a month.**

	ChatterChopz	Well, CC's had a VERY exciting day. It started at about 7:00 am when the Water Department showed up to finally repair the water main break that had been bubbling beside our side yard since Wednesday, flooding our front yard until it's a soggy, marshy mess. They immediately started working, but not without shutting off our water first. (There goes any chance of making it to church, with no way to shower or clean up.) She was having a blast watching them with their big "digger thingy" and their noisy, noisy jackhammers. She set up her lawn chair on the driveway and watched all day. Before too long she knew all the workers by name. Then about 11:00 or so, it happened. Despite all the precautions and preparations, the workers hit a gas line. Natural gas began spewing. At first they thought they'd have to evacuate the neighborhood, but soon determined that the gas was not leaking into the homes. Soon we had the fire department (2 big trucks and a supervisor's car), the Water Department, (2 big trucks, a flat bed, and the aforementioned "digger thingy"), and the Gas company (3 more big trucks) lining the roads beside and in front of our house. CC soon made friends with them all. She told the fire supervisor that it looked like a "City Supervisor Meeting" in our side yard. He got a big kick out of her. Now it's coming on evening. The Water Department's gone home—they can't do any more work until the Gas company finishes their work. Now the Gas company workers have hauled out some kind of big tool that CC says looks like a hula hoop. She's got the giggles watching them wrestle it around. The Gas company workers tell us, "It's gonna be a LO-O-O-NG night." So, she's had a great time, making new friends and being entertained. The only part of the day that she didn't like was that she got her new flip-flops all muddy!

	*Elsalynda*	Elsalynda's latest column entitled Nature in the City: Close to Home and Far and Wide , is available online here: http://waltham.wickedlocal.com/article/20140805/NEWS/140809558/0/SEARC

		We got this message from elsa last 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

	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.)

	*BugGirl*	We received this message from BugGirl: I have quite a story to tell! On was 7/24 I set off to visit my daughter in N. Carolina. I started having terrible headaches the night I got there, and a couple nights later I was in the hospital. But they couldn't figure out what was wrong (I've never had a migraine), so they sent me back to my daughter's house. A few hours later, I was unconscious, my daughter was distraught, and the paramedics were picking me up for the 2nd time. I was out for about 36 hours, while the Neurology Dept. at Duke University Hospital plugged me into everything they had and ran every test they could think of on me. When I returned to the world of the living, the language part of my brain wasn't working - I could understand very little and could speak only gibberish. My son from Seattle was also there by then, and in the course of the afternoon and evening, he had me talking again - not perfectly, but I could understand and make myself understood, and answer some of the doctors' questions. I still don't know how he did it. Anyway, I was in the hospital for 3 more days and then released. The worst thing is that the doctors could not figure out what was wrong with me! They did determine that I had had a stroke at some time that I didn't know about (maybe last November, but not necessarily), but that wasn't what happened this time. They said it appeared to be some kind of seizure, so that's all I have to go on. So I was due to go home on Saturday, [8/2] but I just got out of the hospital on Friday, and my kids are not allowing me to be home alone, so I stayed there until Sunday evening and then flew to Seattle with my son to stay until my older son that lives with me gets back from Sweden in a couple weeks. And I'm not legally allowed to drive for 6 mos, which is going to be very inconvenient and drive me crazy. Otherwise all I know of to do is not drive myself to exhaustion like I did before leaving home. I guess I'm older than I thought I was. Sometimes life seems surprisingly fragile. I thought I'd be able to join in chat last Sunday, but as it turned out, I was off exploring Mt. Rainier with my son until too late. But I'm doing fine and expect to chat tonight. See you then!

	*Marilyn Crabb*	We received this message this week from a long-time Molly watcher: I don't join the online chats but I read the newsletter and was a Molly watcher from the beginning. Last week, I was diagnosed with stage 2B (or greater) breast cancer and am undergoing lots of further tests and will begin chemotherapy on Tuesday. Please add me to the prayer list. UPDATE: Thank you for your prayers. I'm doing really well after my first chemotherapy treatment. One week down - nineteen to go. Then surgery and radiation. I have more tests scheduled to see if the cancer has spread beyond my armpit but so far it does not look like it has. My screen name was/is MarilynLA on UStream. (Marilyn from Los Angeles)

	*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.
	*Jes and Miss Jonesy*

	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."
	Shari in Memphis


	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.

	A Message from Zorro		StoryTime News		StoryTime Archives
							Recipe of the Week


	*Next StoryTime*	August 24 3:00 PM PDT/6:00 PM EDT

	*Title*	How Much is that Doggy . . . ?

	*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.
	*Invitation*

	Hello Vriends,
	I hope everyone is enjoying their weekends. It has been warm here for the last few days, but thankfully not terribly so. Low 90s. Sorry I'm not going to be able to broadcast tonight, but I have some catching up on work to get done today. Partly I have to make up for some hours I lost yesterday, where I went out with the photography club to the Rush Ranch in Suisun. I'm glad I went, because that place is awesome, and I got to see some barn owls! I even got a few good pictures, which I'm going to try to post to my Flickr account later, so I'll be able to show those to you tonight in chat time (though I won't be broadcasting, I will stop by at 6pm, so come on by and say howdy!) Other highlights of the time at the ranch, getting to photograph a cowboy, getting to meet the great grandson of John Muir, meeting lots of horses, trying my hand at blacksmithing (I attempted to make a nail, but my arm gave out well short of the goal). It was a great day! I'm also glad for yesterday because it also served to lift my spirits a bit. I have been really affected by the loss of Robin Williams this week. It just conjured up a lot of bad feelings and thoughts within me, but I think that day on the ranch has gotten me "back on my horse," so to speak. Last weekend was a lot of fun--we spent it in my old college town of Chico, California. I hadn't been back there for around 27 years, so it really stirred-up some ghosts for me! But we had a great time, got one of my best friend's oldest son married off to a wonderful girl--so that was great. I'm definitely not going to wait another 27 years before I go back to Chico! Especially because it is only a bit over a two hour drive from my house--not that far at all! And my cheek is practically healed. I still have a small, reddish scar. I am sure it will fade some more over time, but I may well have a little reminder of it from now on. But it is not too noticeable (certainly less so than what was there before!) I am still waiting to hear the results on the biopsy...should be any day now. I just read where my cousin Kevin has shaved his head in advance of losing it from the chemo. So I think he has a good attitude that he is taking into this fight. He looks good! He, his wife, and I all thank you for your prayers on his behalf. Well, I've got to get my nose back to the grindstone. Hope to chat with y'all this evening, and have a great week!
	Cheers, VacaDude

	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/

	Hello there, Everbuddy!
	Zorro the mouse here. Well, I stayed home yesterday while the Dude went out to a ranch. I saw some of the pictures he took, and I'm kind of glad that I didn't go there. Too many barn owls and red-tailed hawks and such. And they apparently don't honor the "don't eat each other" agreement we have around here. So I'll just enjoy the pictures, thank you very much! I'm sorry I don't get to read the StoryTime tonight, but I'm getting ready for next week. I'm going to try to slip a little PoetryTime in, as well. DotRot found some really fun haikus, and I'm trying my hand at writing a few myself. It should be fun! Things have quieted down in the workshop lately. The Dude has finished a few little projects he was working on, and has begun putting some of the tools away. Time to start focusing more on the job stuff. And for me, time for napping! Too warm to do much else. I swear, it is starting to feel more and more like San Marcos around here all the time. Well, time to go take my third nap for the day. It's so cozy when I'm all snuggled up with all my furry friends. See you next week!
	Yours Most Whiskerly, Zorro

	Nightowl Cheezecake
	Ingredients
	1¼ cup hazelnuts, finely chopped (divided) 2¼ cups chocolate graham cracker crumbs (divided) 6 tbs. butter, melted 2 teaspoons vanilla (divided) 2 pkgs. (8-ounce) cream cheese, softened ½ cup sugar 1 jar (13-ounce) Nutella 1½ tubs (8-ounce) plain or chocolate whipped topping, thawed. Chocolate Syrup (optional)
	Directions
	Mix 1 cup hazelnuts, 2 cups chocolate graham cracker crumbs, butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Press into bottom and up sides of 10-inch springform pan. Refrigerate until ready to use. Using mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar in a large mixing bowl. (Start on low, then increase to high speed.) Add Nutella and remaining vanilla. Mix well. Fold in 8-ounces of whipped topping. Spoon filling into prepared crust. Spread remaining whipped topping over filling. Drizzle with chocolate syrup, if desired. Sprinkle with reserved hazelnuts and graham cracker crumbs.


	Midsummer Burgers
	Ingredients
	1½ pounds lean ground beef 5 bratwurst 1 egg 1 finely chopped sweet onion 2 cloves garlic, crushed ½ pound thick sliced maple or pepper bacon Sliced American, Cheddar or Swiss Cheese (optional)
	Directions
	Remove bratwurst from the casings. Mix ground beef, bratwurst, egg, onion and garlic wll. Form into six large patties. Make a small hole in the center of each patty to help keep the burger flat as it cooks. (The hole will disappear.) Wrap 2-3 slices of bacon around each patty. Place on the grill (high heat) and cook about 5-8 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches about 160°F. Top with cheese, if desired.


	Purple Dream Clouds
	Ingredients
	4 egg whites, at room temperature ½ teaspoon cream of tartar 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 6 drops blue food color 18 drops red food color 1 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
	Directions
	Preheat oven to 225°F. Beat egg whites in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until frothy. (If using a freestanding mixer, use wire whisk attachment.) Add cream of tartar; beat until soft peaks form. Increase speed to medium-high. Add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until sugar is dissolved and stiff peaks form. Beat in extract and food color until well blended. Gently stir in chips, if desired. Drop by rounded measuring teaspoonfuls (or use a piping bag) about 1 inch apart onto 2 large foil-lined baking sheets sprayed with no stick cooking spray. Bake both sheets of meringues at the same time 45 minutes. Turn oven off. Let meringues stand in oven 1 hour or until completely cooled.


	Dreamsicles
	Ingredients
	1½ cups light cream 4 (14 ounces) can sweetened condensed milk ½ cup frozen orange juice concentrate (thawed) 1 teaspoon vanilla
	Directions
	In a mixing bowl, whisk together the cream, condensed milk, orange juice concentrate and vanilla until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled, about 12 hours. Assemble your ice cream maker according to package directions. (If yours is a one-quart capacity ice cream maker, you'll have to churn this in two batches.) Turn the ice cream make on and pour the chilled mixture into the machine. All the ice cream maker to churn for about 20-40 minutes, or until creamy and stiff. Serve immediately as soft serve, or spoon into popsicle molds or small paper cups (Dixie bathroom size). Add sticks and freeze until firm.

	Owl Cams				Other Nature Cams		Video Picks of the Week		Inspiration
			Other Bird Cams

Barn Owls
	Nicassio Owl Box Salt and Pepper	http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nicasio-owl

	HOP - MAGC Barn Owls	http://www.ustream.tv/channel/magc-owls

	Owlceanside Mel and Sydney	http://www.ustream.tv/channel/owlceanside

	Felix Neck Owl Cam Martha’s Vineyard	http://www.ustream.tv/channel/felix-neck-owl-cam

	The Owl Cam	http://www.ustream.tv/owlchannel

	Barn Owls in Minden, Nevada	http://www.ustream.tv/channel/barn-owls-in-minden-nevada

	Port of Stockton Barn Owl Cams	http://www.portofstockton.com/owl-cams

	Hosted by Cornell Lab of Ornithology Located in Texas	http://cams.allaboutbirds.org/channel/42/Barn_Owls/

Other Owls


	The Caring Owl in South Africa	http://www.thecaringowl.co.za/

	PPO (Potted Plant Owl) in South Africa	https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pot-Plant-Owl/148721154229

	Alessondra’s Owl Cam in Oklahoma City	http://ustream.tv/okcowlcam The three owlets have fledged.

	Rusty and Iris in Houston, Minnesota	http://www.internationalowlcenter.org/ourowls/rustyandiris/livecams

	Burrowing Owls Tri-Cities, Washington	http://wdfw.wa.gov/wildwatch/owlcam/video_burrowing2.html

	Project Snow Storm	http://www.projectsnowstorm.org/

Puffins
	Shetland Islands Puffins	http://www.shetland.org/puffincam/

	Sea Island, Maine Puffin Burrow	http://explore.org/live-cams/player/puffin-burrow-cam

	Sea Island, Maine Puffin Loafing Ledge	http://explore.org/live-cams/player/puffin-loafing-ledge-cam These pages also contain links to numerous other nature cams.

Eagles
	Black Eagle South Africa		http://www.africam.com/wildlife/black_eagle_webcam The first egg hatched on June 6!.

	Decorah Eagles Decorah, Iowa	http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles

	Berry College Eagle Cam Mt. Berry, Georgia	http://www.ustream.tv/channel/berry-eagle-cam

		http://www.pixcontroller.com/eagles/index.htm

Peregrine Falcons
	PA Falcon Cam Harrisburg, Pennsylvania	http://www.pacast.com/players/falcon.asp

	Commerce Tower Peregrines Kansas City, Missouri	http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/wildlife-cameras/peregrine-falcon-web-camera Cam not live now but should be returning soon.

	Pitt Peregrine Falcon Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	http://www.aviary.org/PF-NestCam1

	Gulf Tower Peregrine Falcon Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	http://www.aviary.org/PF-NestCam2

	Emily Falcon Cam Caloundra, Australia	http://www.ustream.tv/channel/emily-falcon-cam

	RFalconCam Rochester, New York	http://rfalconcam.com/rfc-main/

Talking Birds
	Watch the Birdie Bibi, the African Gray	http://www.ustream.tv/channel/Watch-the-Birdie

	Disco Talking Parakeet	https://www.youtube.com/user/MsJumpinJude/videos

Other Birds

	California Condor San Diego Zoo Safari Park San Diego, California	http://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/cams/condor-cam

	KC Zoo Penguin Cam Kansas City, MO	http://www.kansascityzoo.org/penguincam

	Whidbey Island Back Porch Whidbey Island, WA Rufous hummingbirds and other assorted birds	http://www.ustream.tv/channel/katersch

	Hellgate Ospreys Missoula, Montana Sponsored by Cornell	http://cams.allaboutbirds.org/channel/27/Hellgate_Ospreys/

	Ostrich Chicks (Live Again! New Chicks!)		http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ostrich-egg-cam-live

	Streaming Bird Cams List of many cams	http://www.beakspeak.com/

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 Zoo Atlanta	http://www.zooatlanta.org/1212/panda_cam#ff_s=aDIEl

	Giant Panda Cam National Zoo Washington, DC	http://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/webcams/giant-panda.cfm

Bears
	Kansas City Polar Bears Nikita and Berlin	http://www.kctv5.com/category/244581/nikita-berlin-polar-bear-cam

	Brown Bears and Salmon Katmai National Park Alaska (off season- will return)	http://explore.org/#!/live-cams/player/brown-bear-salmon-cam-brooks-falls (lots of other cams at this site, as well)

	Black Bears Ely, Minnesota	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 (many live cams)	http://www.thepetcollective.tv/livestreams/

	Critter Chat Cams Multi-Critter Site with Chat	http://critterchatcams.org/

	Friends of Felines Rescue Center Defiance, Ohio	www.ustream.tv/ffrc

	Little House Prairie Village, Kansas	http://www.tomnliz.com/Livecam/

	CC's Page of Links (scheduled for updating)	http://chatterchopz.com/links/camslinks.htm

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

Trees
Jes shares with us this wonderful page of photos illustrating nature's wonders. Trees \| Dusky's Wonders

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

			Fun Animations and Pictures		Photos of the Week		Zorro's Word of the Week
	Just for the Fun of It