Newsletter 09/07/2014

A very happy Sunday to you. I guess this is the first day of football, though I have not had any time to pay attention. For whatever reason, I'm having a slow start to the season, as I'm having trouble getting enthusiastic for it. Maybe I'll warm up later. Maybe I'm just not ready to let go of summer yet.

I've been busy with work all week, and I just picked up some small projects for this upcoming week (hopefully). I'm supposed to give the producer a call a little later today.

This morning I have been working on a Google Earth tour--the first since my big computer system hork. I had to download the very latest version of the software, and it is kind of a bear. So it has been a bit of a struggle so far. However, I think it will be worth it--I'm taking a look at castles of the world. Lots of cool places to visit!

In my photography club this week, we did the big reveal on our latest picture assignment, so I'll show those tonight as well.

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.

Rest in peace Miss Jonesy.

November 29, 1997 to August 29,2014

Jes is, of course, hurting and grieving. Please keep her in your prayers.

How are you all this weekend? Anybody watching the football? The Dude does not have it on, but I am trying to keep up with the scores. So far I think the San Marcos Raptors are beating everybody...

The Dude was touring the world this morning with the Googly thingie, and he spent a lot of time in France. I wish I could go there; I could practically smell the Brie de Meaux coming off his screen. I would really love to tour France--they have lots of yummy cheeses. I would get rowdy for the Roquefort. Silly for the Salers. I would go gaga for the Grúyere. Bonkers for the Beaufort! I am cuckoo for Cómte...

Agh--I need to pull myself together now, so that I can get ready for the StoryTime.

Hope to see you there!

			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 photo of a pretty little lady

	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.**

	TwoClubs	Twoclubs shares with us the story of a little guy she has rescued twice recently. She writes: I think his girl friend lives across the street. My guess is that he weighs about 50-60 lbs and yes, I picked him up, Very Carefully! He was thrashing and snapping and not easy to hold but I was able to move him onto the grass only to have him turn around and head back out towards the street. I asked a woman to call Animal Control and when Frank showed up (swooning here!) we got TurtleWax into a bin and moved him to the retention pond behind our houses. Off he went, swimming away, no wave of thanks. Just like a turtle. The other day I was driving along and there he was again. This snapping turtle sure has a big territory and a hunger for his girl friend. This time I got some yard workers to pick him up and move him to a nearby stream. Bye Bye TurtleWax...til we meet again!


		Twoclubs also sends us a picture of a street obviously named after Vobble's Dutch Cousin. :)


	ChatterChopz	CC has celebrated her one year anniversary at the library. She's still loving volunteering there. They really seem to appreciate her help (and her cheerful spirit). She's been invited to a BIG reception honoring library volunteers.

	Amb15229	Amb shared this as her reason for not helping write storytime today. "I will miss you all! I'm at the beach... Here's a photo!"
		(If she can email the picture from the beach, why can't write a story from the beach? )

	*Elsalynda*	Elsalynda's latest column entitled Nature in the City: The Healing Power of Nature, is available online here: http://waltham.wickedlocal.com/article/20140903/NEWS/140909908

	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.)

	*KSBorn*	KSBorn was in regression for lymphoma and breast cancer. It has since returned and she's going for Chemo now. She and her doctors are attacking it vigorously and she needs our prayers. She needs our prayers for healing, for the Lord to guide her doctors, and for the peace and strength as she undergoes the treatment.

	*Jes63*	Rest in peace Miss Jonesy. November 29, 1997 to August 29,2014 Jes is, of course, hurting and grieving. Please keep her in your prayers.

	*VacaDude and his cousin, Kevin*	Keep VacaDude's cousin, Kevin in your prayers as he battles cancer.

	*BugGirl*	BugGirl is recovering well. She's still not allowed to drive, though.

	*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 had another procedure performed on 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*	We got this message from elsa last week: Hi all, Thanks for all your prayers. This computer is so hard to type on. I dislike it but will have to use it for now. I saw the MGH sleep specialist today for consult and got some scary news. My apnea is severe and REM behavior disorder is rare and correlated with parkinson's disease. There is not much treatment available for the REM but I will try what there is. Please pray for me again. I am worried. Your elsalynda

	*GentleDoe*	It was great to see GentleDoe in chat last week. Here is the latest update from her: Dad: My sister has taken him out of the assistive living complex she had put him in. He is now in her home receiving hospice care. My sister is not contacting us or answering my mother's calls so we are only receiving second-hand updates from an aunt. As of last weekend, August 23rd - 25th, my father had a urinary tract infection. There was problems with his medication. They did not get his depression medication ordered before the weekend so he was without his medication the weekend of the 23rd - 25th. Also, since he left the assistive living home, he has been overdosed on his seizure medication. As of last week he still had the UTI & was not lucid. My aunt could not get him to understand who she was on the phone & he kept referring to my sister has his wife. My mother does not know this yet. Mom: She has been doing better with her medication with the latest change of a reduction in her blood pressure medication. Her cardiologist has recommended water aerobics which we are looking into. The lack of communication with my father has her very upset & depressed. Me: I've had some health issues since last Wednesday. My doctor is away until after the Labor day holiday. I'm still experiencing a good bit of pain as well. I'm trying to take care of mom, birds, bunnies & all of the various issues with my father/sister situation. It is so sad that my sister now has complete control over my father & everything in his name. My mother nor I have been able to speak to my father in over two weeks now. I'm concerned that if the lawyer does not get moving that we may not get to spend any time with him or give him our love before he passes. I do not know his medical condition, other than what is told second-hand to me or my mother! Friday, AT&T cut off my mother's phone service. We were told it was an order that the phone service was moving out of the area. I spent several hours Friday evening trying to get it straightened out with AT&T & was told it would be back on within 2 to 4 hours at 8 PM. Saturday morning still no service, called again spent from 9:30 am until after 12:30 PM when we were cut off without it being resolved. Called back & got another customer service person who was no help & could not get a supervisor. Had to rest for a bit & did not get anyone before AT&T was closed for the long Labor day weekend. My phone service has also gotten messed up with AT&T. I had my phone service moved to my mother's since I am now staying with her for now. They installed the Uverse internet & phone service but did not disconnect my home line at my house. Still haven't found out about what is happening with my AT&T cell phone. I may totally stop my AT&T phone services if I can't get this straightened out. Please keep my family in prayer especially that things can be resolved so that my mother & I can have contact with my dad as well as the other issues over my dad's POA (my father put my mother as the person on his POA but somehow my sister has taken over), my mother's health, & me with my health issues, surgery may be in the near future. My big prayer request is that my mother & I get to spend time with my father before we lose him, mentally or physically. Hope to see everyone in chat.

	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*	Sunday, October 5 3:00 PM PDT/6:00 PM EDT

	*Title*	*Tauntz and the Intruders!*

	*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,
	A very happy Sunday to you. I guess this is the first day of football, though I have not had any time to pay attention. For whatever reason, I'm having a slow start to the season, as I'm having trouble getting enthusiastic for it. Maybe I'll warm up later. Maybe I'm just not ready to let go of summer yet. I've been busy with work all week, and I just picked up some small projects for this upcoming week (hopefully). I'm supposed to give the producer a call a little later today. This morning I have been working on a Google Earth tour--the first since my big computer system hork. I had to download the very latest version of the software, and it is kind of a bear. So it has been a bit of a struggle so far. However, I think it will be worth it--I'm taking a look at castles of the world. Lots of cool places to visit! In my photography club this week, we did the big reveal on our latest picture assignment, so I'll show those tonight as well. So in short, lots of stuff to cover in the chat tonight! I hope y'all can make it;it should be fun. And of course, Zorro will be there to read the storytime! Until then--cheers!
	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!
	How are you all this weekend? Anybody watching the football? The Dude does not have it on, but I am trying to keep up with the scores. So far I think the San Marcos Raptors are beating everybody... The Dude was touring the world this morning with the Googly thingie, and he spent a lot of time in France. I wish I could go there; I could practically smell the Brie de Meaux coming off his screen. I would really love to tour France--they have lots of yummy cheeses. I would get rowdy for the Roquefort. Silly for the Salers. I would go gaga for the Grúyere. Bonkers for the Beaufort! I am cuckoo for Cómte... Agh--I need to pull myself together now, so that I can get ready for the StoryTime. Hope to see you there!
	Yours Most Whiskerly, Zorro

	Curried Chicken Salad submitted by LittleGuys
	Directions
	Curry chicken salad - Great use for left over cooked chicken. Got the idea from a caterer that brought chicken croissant sandwiches to a horse show and this is what I came up with as I copied them. Sweet and exotic Cut up cooked chicken - as much as you want. Cut up / dice celery - I do about as much as I the chicken. Add mayonaise. Ok, you can use what you want, but I love my Real Mayonaise. Enough for lightly coating.
	Add Curry powder. If you don't have this in your spice cabinet, you are missing out on a nice sweet spice. We have on basic kind here. In India, Curry means a mixture of spices, so use the one from the run of the mill grocery store. Add raisins or grapes if you have them. Add a tablespoon of Mango Chutney, if you can find it. Otherwise, I use apricot preserves or a similar item Mix thoroughly and chill if not already cool. Eat it as a savory salad, meaning no lettuce, or as a sandwich filling. Oh, and if you have not used curry before, start out with maybe a half of a teaspoon and add more to taste.


	Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
	Ingredients
	12 ounces Spiral pasta 3 chicken breasts 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1 chopped tomato, or a handful of cherry tomatoes chopped in half 6 slices bacon, cooked hard and crumbled 1 zucchini shredded 1 pack Ranch Dressing 1 cup Mayonnaise ½ cup buttermilk ¼ teaspoon black pepper ⅛ teaspoon paprika ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
	Directions
	Mix together the mayonnaise, buttermilk, Ranch dressing pack, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Refrigerate Season chicken with salt and pepper and bake for 30 minutes at 350°F. Cut the chicken breast up into bite sizes, Cook the pasta according to the package directions. In a large bowl, combine the chopped chicken, cooked and drained pasta, ranch dressing, shredded cheese, chopped tomatoes, zucchini, and 6 pieces of bacon cooked hard and crumbled. Mix well and serve or refrigerate.

	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

A San Francisco Owl
Molly chatter, Owlsome, shares with us this photo taken by Bill Carey via San Francisco Street Photography on FaceBook. This is Post Street in San Francisco.

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

	Kyle's well known among his friends for his "triple groaner" riddles and jokes. Today he begins sharing them with VacaFamily. Enjoy!


	Why did the king go to the dentist? To get his teeth crowned.

	What was the leader of Russia's favorite food? Czardines

	What did Paul Revere say when he finished his famous ride? "Whoa!".

	Two carrots left the farm for a big time in the Big Apple. They went everywhere: shows, museums, libraries, the Statue of Liberty, the subways, and galleries. For a real blast off their last night in town, they went from bar to bar, carousing until the wee hours. When they stumbled out to the curb to hail a cab, one of the drunken carrots fell in the path of a speeding car. The other carrot called for an ambulance and followed his friend to the hospital. After several hours of waiting and pacing, the carrot was approached by a surgeon. The doctor told the carrot he bore both good and bad news and asked which he wished to hear first. The carrot told the doctor to start with the good news. The doctor complied, stating, "Your friend will live, but he'll always be a vegetable."