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August 30, 2015

 

More graphics and buttons, courtesy of VacaDude, coming soon!

 

 


      Channel
Links
     
  Broadcast Schedule        Important News   

 

 

  

Today!!! Sunday, August 30, 2015
3 PM PST/6 PM PST
No Story Writing!
We'll write again on September 6.
 
6 PM PST/9 PM EST
No VacaChat Broadcast.
The chatroom will be open at 6:00 PM PST (9:00 PM EST; 8:00 PM CST)
 
 
Upcoming!!! Sunday, September 6, 2015
3 PM PST/6 PM PST
Story Writing!
Join us for all the "behind-the-scenes" fun as we write the new story!
 
6 PM PST/9 PM EST
VacaChat Broadcast.
Time for more fun, frivolity, festivity, and fervent activity!


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Channel Links

 

Channel Links
 
The pop-out chat link no longer uses the old style chat. However, it is still a nice way to save on memory and be able to refresh without losing both chat and video.

The easiest way to do this is to open the pop-out chat in a browser window. Log in. (Type a period in the chat line—hit enter. This will open the login screen.) Size this chat window to equal about 1/3 of your desktop space.

Then open a new window or tab (Ctrl-T or Ctrl-N in most browsers) and use it to open the pop-out video. If you opened a new tab, you can then click on the tab and drag it to an open space on your desktop. Size it to about 2/3 of your desktop space beside the chat.

Now you have both open and can refresh one without disturbing the other. You can resize either without resizing the other.

I hope this helps.
 
 
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

   

Chat: http://www.ustream.tv/channel-room/3506056

    

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.

 

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Our Furred, Feathered, and Scaled Babies
We will soon have a new feature on the VacaNews website. Send us pictures of you and your pets. We'll have a page featuring all our animal family members. Send them to vacachatb@gmail.com. Make sure you include your chat name and your pet's name. You can also include your real name and location if you want to.

I've only gotten photos from a few people. (The new page will be posted soon—just waiting on some graphics from TheDude.) Surely more chatters have pets that they'd like to show to the world!
 
It's REALLY Gonna Happen
The 5th Anniversary International MOD Meet!!!

It has been confirmed! Carlos and Donna will be attending.

http://www.modmeet.com/
 
VacaChat Broadcast Changes
Look here for any changes to upcoming broadcasts.
 
 

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

 

 

  Hello Vriends,  
I'm going to have to make this qvick--I am supposed to meet Mary in the Bay Area today for a museum session and a little party with old friends.

Basically, this week was a busy work week, so I didn't get done all that I was hoping to. The typical. However, I had a little extra wrinkle by being contacted by a potential new client, with a possible position involved. So I had to scramble to come up with a lot of new samples, as well as going out to get my hair chopped. Yup--the nearly-flowing locks are chopped back, so that I can present well at a possible interview this week.

The other big news for me on the creative side is that last night I did something for the first time in about 37 years--I developed a roll of black&white film! I had purchased some 120 roll film for the Ciro-Flex camera that was gifted to me. I also bought some chemicals. So I shot one roll of film, then mixed my chemicals yesterday. And last night I did the developing, and they came out pretty well, considering I am so out of practice. I will show some of my early photographs next week during the VacaChat.

Well, like I said--I need to jump in the car right now and head on down the road. So I hope to see y'all next week at the VacaChat. Until then, have a great week!
Cheers, VacaDude
     

 

 

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  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!"

Today Sharoot shares with us a couple of fun photos.
 
       
       
  Elsalynda Elsalynda's latest column entitled Nature in the City: 'Dead in Good Company', is available online here:

http://waltham.wickedlocal.com/article/20150828/NEWS/150826842 

Elsa also shares with us a link to a video with this explanation: "This is the full version of the video of the book launch for Dead in Good Company, in which I have a poem, at the Bigelow Chapel at the Mt. Auburn Cemetery on August 9. You can see my 'group' at the front on the left, with Michael King at the back, and me wandering about amongst the din!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NI-LR2VCI8 

Here's a photo of Elsa's group at the book launch. She's the one in white and orange.
 
       
  Littleguys We received this from Littleguys:  For those of you that only know me via the internet, or have not seen me in years and years....I am the one in the turquoise blouse.  http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Residents-Donate-Artifacts-for-Cedar-Fire-Monument-314003781.html  
       
  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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  BonnieSparrow We received this news yesterday (Saturday, August 29, 2015):

I have some very sad news this morning. I just rec'd a call from Alan, BonnySparrow SH husband. She passed away this morning at about 5:30 AM. She was so hoping to come to the MOD meet. Her daughter was trying to work it out. I talked to her a few weeks ago and she was very hopeful. She went downhill rather quickly this week Alan said. She told me that she was just getting tired of fighting for her health. She wasn't doing well on Wednesday and Alan called the ambulance and she went to the hospital. He spent a lot of time with her there. Thursday night when he went to go home, she gave him extra kisses on the lips.(that's the way he put it). Friday night he and her daughter stayed at the hospital all night with her. He said he thought the time was near because of her breathing. Like I said, she passed this morning at 5:30 AM.  He ask that we keep him in our thoughts and prayers.
Rest in Peace Bonny! You are so loved and will be missed.
 
       
  Jes Jes has requested prayers. She has lost a close friend and is also facing some rather daunting medical tests and procedures. She is, of course, worried and stressed, and in need of all our prayers and healing vibes.  
       
  KSBorn KSBorn has sent us an update. She writes, "I’m still in the midst of chemo and hormone blocker every day. In 2008 I had breast cancer and it returned July 2014 same breast cancer in my lung now and 2 lymph nodes positive. I’m getting ready to have a surgery to get a port. I will probably be on chemo for life. I have numerous tests monthly.
 
Thank you so much for the prayers and please continue."
 
       
  Marilyn Crabb UPDATE:  Hi! I survived six months of chemotherapy. I'll have my breast tumor and left axillary nodes removed on Friday, Feb. 13. Radiation will be next. Please pray that the surgeon does a good job and all my cancer is removed!  
 
My screen name was/is MarilynLA on UStream.  (Marilyn from Los Angeles)
 
       
  Littleguys  UPDATE:  We received this from Littleguys this week:  I am recuperating from a minor thing, but wanted to share with you folks, especially those of you that know I have not been able to show my horses "in hand" for over two years. I have sciatica. That is the sciatic nerve causing trouble. In my case, the hole in the vertebra that the sciatic nerve goes through was filling up with arthritis. Knee and hip joints are fine, though I have been limping as if they bothered me. I wanted to take care of it over a year ago when the MRI showed us what the actual problem was, but the doctors INSISTED on taking care of the Stage Zero Breast Cancer last year instead. (Cancer is gone and since it was Stage Zero, never had to do chemo)

Finally, last Thursday morning, I went to Kaiser and got some shots "in the right place." Camera and all.

Good friends of mine insisted I stay at their place so they could make sure I followed instructions, take it easy, don't bend down, lean over, feed my horses, trim trees, etc. Yep, you country girls know what I mean. And I got to watch their Direct TV with the RFD channel. That was icing on the cake.

By the afternoon after the 6:30 am procedure, for the first time in over six months…after sitting or laying down, I did NOT have to first stand and steady myself and then have 5 - 10 painful steps. That alone was worth the procedure, that I can now stand and walk normally.
 
       
  Elsalynda Keep Elsalynda in your prayers as she struggles with health, computer and weather related issues.  
       
  GentleDoe Latest update  from GentleDoe (as of 8/23).

GentleDoe is requesting our prayers for several specific items. Her sister and sister's lawyer are still attempting to cause many problems. Doe asks that we pray for a good outcome and good decision from the judge at the upcoming hearing (Thursday, Septmeber 3, 2015 at 10:15am).

She also asks that we pray for her financial situation as she struggles to keep her house and make a home for her and her birds. She may have a new job and asks for us to pray for that, as well.
 
       
  Shari in Memphis UPDATE!!! We heard from Shari recently. She is now on the VacaNews mailing list, so we'll be able to keep in touch with her more easily. She tells us, "Hi guys! Shari in Memphis is alive. I've been having tons of health problems, so that's tons of doc appointments! I have moved to northern Arkansas, for health reasons, and looking forward to hub moving up here in a couple of years, when he retires. It's gorgeous in the country, and I love that we were able to find a place on a stream. Lots of wild animals around! I miss you all.
Shari (no longer in Memphis) (Shari Sides on FB)"
 
   
       
       
  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! (No recent updates)

 
  http://vacadude.wordpress.com/  
     
     
   
  Vaca YouTube  
  Be sure to check out the Dude's YouTube channel at
https://www.youtube.com/user/splinesmith/videos
 

 

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      StoryTime
 News
     
  A Message From Zorro        StoryTime Archive   Recipe of the Week   



 

  Hello there, Everbuddy!  
 
Well, the Dude is in a hurry, so that automagically means that I am also. It's funny how that works.

Yes, the Dude and I got a chance to work together in the garage last night developing film. That was Vun! It is a little bit like alchemy, taking some plastic and pouring chemicals on it, and having images appear. I think the Dude was happy to have my help. He said I was turning into a real "lab rat!" I tried to correct him, stating that it would be a "lab mouse," but he told me that is an old term used to describe someone who spends time in the darkroom developing film. So I guess I am flattered. Though I still think I am going to petition for "lab mouse." I like the sound of that better!

I hope you guys can make it to the VacaChat next week, where we'll have the StoryTime, but also we'll be talking about photography, cartooning, and 3D printing and all that. It should be a hoot!
 
  Yours Most Whiskerly,
Zorro
 

 

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StoryTime News

 

       
  Next StoryTime Sunday, September 6
3:00 PM PST/6:00 PM EST
 
       
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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If anyone wants to request a recipe or a recipe category, just email me.

 

Today, I give you three recipes because the last two go together so well.

 

 

Sweet Tea Brined Roasted Chicken

 
     
  Ingredients:    
 

3 large black tea bags
¼ cup salt
½ cup brown sugar
3 garlic cloves
1 lemon, thinly sliced
1 sweet onion, thinly sliced
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon crushed black pepper
2 cups ice cubes
3-4 pounds bone-in chicken breast

 
       
  Directions:    
  Boil 4 cups of water in a large stockpot. Add tea bags and let steep for 10 minutes.

Add salt and sugar and stir until completely dissolved. Add the garlic, lemon, onion, rosemary and black pepper. Add 2 cups ice and let brine cool completely. Place chicken in large plastic bags and let sit in the brine, refrigerated for at least 24 hours.

Preheat oven to 400°F. Pour ¼ teaspoon of olive oil in cast iron skillet and spread around. Place skillet in oven and let heat for about 10 minutes.

Remove chicken from bags and wipe dry. Discard brine. Using a knife, gently pull skin away from breast meat. Place 1 lemon slice and a partial sprig of rosemary between breast and skin. Place chicken in skillet.

Roast for about 1 hour, flipping over every 15 minutes. Cook until the thickest part of the chicken breast reaches an internal temperature of 1600176F. Remove skillet from oven and cover loosely with foil and let rest 5 minutes. Serve with pan juices from the skillet.
 
       
       
  Magic Pumpkin Cake  
  Ingredients:    
  1 box vanilla cake mix
Unsweetened applesauce
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1 (30 ounce) can pumpkin pie filling (not plain canned pumpkin)
1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
2 eggs
1 (3.5 ounce) box instant vanilla pudding
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, divided use
1 cup cold milk
1 (8 ounce) tub whipped topping (Cool Whip), thawed
Cinnamon flavored baking chips, optional
 
       
  Directions:    
  Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
Prepare cake mix according to package directions, substituting applesauce for oil and adding 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice. Pour cake batter into prepared baking dish (don't bake yet!)

Now prepare the pumpkin pie filling. Combine contents of can of pumpkin pie filling with eggs and evaporated milk and one teaspoon pumpkin pie spice. Stir well. Slowly pour the pumpkin pie mix right onto the cake batter (over the entire cake). (As it bakes, the heavier pumpkin layer will sink to the bottom and the cake will remain on top. This is what you want.)

Bake for about 50-60 minutes. Allow cake to cool completely - at least a couple of hours. Once cake is cooled, begin making topping.

Combine package of instant pudding with teaspoon pumpkin pie spice. Add cold milk. Whisk mixture until pudding begins to thicken. Then gently fold whipped topping into the pudding.

Spread topping onto cooled cake. Chill for one hour before serving.

Optional: Sprinkle some mini cinnamon chips on top of finished cake. Keep refrigerated if not eating immediately.
 
       
       
 

No-Churn Salted Caramel Ice Cream

 
     
  Ingredients:    

1⅓ cups dulce de leche
½ teaspoon flaky sea salt, plus more for serving
2 cups very cold heavy cream

       
  Directions:    
 

Combine dulce de leche with salt in a large bowl.

Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat cream in a large bowl until stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes. Stir about ⅓ of the whipped cream into dulce de leche until just combined. Gently fold remaining whipped cream into dulce de leche mixture, then pour into 9x5" loaf pan. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until firm, about 6 hours.

Sprinkle with additional salt before serving.

Do Ahead

Ice cream can be made 7 days ahead; cover and freeze in loaf pan.

Cooks' Note If you don't have flaky sea salt, substitute ¼ teaspoon kosher salt or ⅛ teaspoon table salt to get the same level of saltiness in the ice cream base.

 
       

 

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

 

 

  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/

First Owlet hatching:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MimLJZYHkXY&feature=youtu.be
 
         
  Other Owls  
         
       
  OwlGuy
   Lake Okeechobee,
     Florida
OwlGuy is now broadcasting again as Mrs. Barred Owl laid her first egg of the season on January 18.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/owlguy
 
           
  Savannah Bird Cam
    @ The Landings
http://landingsbirdcam.com/

https://www.facebook.com/LandingsBirdCam?fref=nf
 
         
  Athena
Eastern Screech Owl
    Houston, Texas
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/mark-s-owl-cam

http://www.facebook.com/groups/AthenaOwlcamFollowers/
 
         
  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

Three owlets:  Java, Malaya and Caspian have all fledged.

Old style chat link: http://www.ustream.tv/channel-room/10626225
 
         
 

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/  
         

 

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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  
 

Southwest Florida Eagles

    

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi6DdvVbbi8  
         
 

Black Eagle
South Africa

http://www.africam.com/wildlife/black_eagle_webcam

We have a new chick!!!
 
         
 

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  
  Hummingbird
   University of Arizona
Marmou (Marilyn) sent this from her new home town in Arizona. This little lady built a nest on the end of a data cable for a future wireless access point.

http://www.pdc.arizona.edu/webcam/ENR2_HummingBird.aspx
 
         
  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/  
         
         


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  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  
  Golden Paw-Prints Classic Golden Retrievers
   Oshkosh, Wisconsin
  http://www.ustream.tv/channel/golden-retriever-puppy-cam

The puppies have all gone to their forever homes.
 
         
 

San Diego Zoo and Safari Park

http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/  
         
  Wild Earth Safari Cam http://www.ustream.tv/channel/wildearth-safaris  
         
 

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  
     
  Fascinating Information about the Jeweled City  
  John has talked about the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition (PPIE).
Tzunamie found us this link:
 
  http://home.comcast.net/~sgsanders/index.html  
         Mother Owl Takes On Snake—and Wins   
  Ketaki sent this in. She says, "I saw it live when it happened and it was so fast. It's too bad she didn't kill it and feed to the owlets. They could have used the food, and the snake, a rat snake, is non-venomous. But she was intent on protection. They run it in slow motion at the end so you can see her, and the inset window shows the snake coming down from the top."   
  http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/05/150514-owl-snake-video-animals-fight/   
     
  This Bird Song Collection Will Get You In Tune With Nature   
  http://www.ba-bamail.com/content.aspx?emailid=15112  
     
  Help in Identifying Birds  
Try www.whatbird.com It's helps identify lots of birds.
         
   Meet Zeus  
  http://kittensdaily.com/meet-zeus-blind-owl-gorgeous-eyes/  
         
  Some Interesting Information About Someone We All Know Well  
  http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1511369/  
         
         
  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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Video Picks
of the Week

 

New Big Brother

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSe0g7gV5uQ

 

 

Hungry Dogs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zptf92YkLPI

 

 

Time For a Bath

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVnT6W8i_K8

 

 

Healing Tool (Digital Billboards)

https://vimeo.com/133937413

 

 

Busted!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIlKM1zrquY

 

 

Mnozil Brass
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24saP-TcHQk


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Q’eswachaka Bridge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dql-D6JQ1Bc

 

 

When Love Becomes an Instinct
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbqUJNAlqIY

 

 

Giving Her Away

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWvaXlyT3qE

 

 

Drawing from Memory

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsJbApZ5GF0

 

 

Flight of the Bumblebee as you've never heard it before

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNjOgNflXX0

 

 

The Largest Water Evacuation in History

https://www.youtube.com/embed/MDOrzF7B2Kg?rel=0

 

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          Zorro's Word of the Week  
  Just for the
Fun of It 
  Fun Animations    Photo of the Week   

Kyle's Jokes of the Week

     

 

 

Mouse Snack Attack

http://www.paaseastereggs.com/recipes-mouse-snack-attack.php

 

 

Owl Mask Template

(three others also available)

http://www.illistyle.com/crafts/felt-animal-mask-printable-templates/

 

 

Simple Mouse Mask

http://www.stylehive.com/bookmark/mouse-halloween-or-party-mask-printable-pdf-by-therasilisk-1255055

 

 

Rocky Mask

http://craftinomicon.blogspot.com/2014/04/make-your-own-felt-raccoon-mask.html

 

 

Tauntz Crafts

http://www.momtrends.com/2010/03/easter-crafts-and-goodies/

 

 

Owl S'mores

http://www.livinglocurto.com/2010/09/owl-smores/

 

 

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Dance With Me?

 

 

Wiggle, Wiggle, Wiggle

 

 

Gotcha!!!

 

 

Potty Training

 

 

You Gotta Watch Out for Those Sneaky Cucumbers!

 

 

Just Run!!

 

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From the Dude

 

 

I think we all agree that these little owls made with The Dude's new 3Doodler are … … … ummmmmm … … … interesting.

 

The Dude says, "Doesn't it look like they were made out of gagshag?

Maybe an owlet who was an only child decided to make themselves a sibling...  ;)"

 

 

Sharoot's Caboose

 

Sharoot shares,

"

I don’t remember whether I sent this one or not, but I just love him!  I met him at Seal Rock in Shelter Cove, CA.

 

 

And when I need to get my ducks in a row, I will look at this picture for help!

 

 

 

 

 

 


  Kyle's well known among his friends for his "triple groaner" riddles and jokes.
Now he shares them with VacaFamily. Enjoy!
 
     
     
 
What do you call a piece of wood with nothing to do?
Bored
 
     
 
What's the difference between the government and the Mafia?
One of them is organized.
 
     
 
My mom drove cross-country to visit me in college. Heading south from Tucson, we were on our way to spend the day in Mexico when a state trooper pulled us over. “What seems to be the problem?” Mom asked. “Drug smugglers use this road a lot,” he explained, “and a suspicious-acting Buick with Pennsylvania plates has been spotted going up and down it.” “I just got in yesterday.” Mom said. “And I’m hardly a smuggler. Just a teacher on sabbatical.” The patrolman eyed her suspiciously. “Do you have a prescription for that?”
 
     
What do you get if you cross an electric eel with a jellyfish?
Currant jelly
     
 
A young boy who had just gotten his driving permit asked his father if he could use the family car.

The father said he could use the car if he studied his Bible diligently and got his hair cut.

For a week the boy studied his Bible, but didn't get his hair cut.

"I'm glad to see you studying your Bible," the father said, "but why didn't you get your hair cut?"

"Well, Dad," the boy replied, "Samson had long hair. Moses had long hair. Noah had long hair. And even Jesus had long hair."

"Indeed they did," the father answered, "and I'm glad you want to use them as your role models because they walked everywhere they went."
 
     
  Upcoming Holidaze!  
  August 31
   National Trail Mix Day
   Eat Outside Day

September
  
ADHD Month
   Baby Safety Month
   Better Breakfast Month
   Chicken Month
   Classical Music Month
   Fall Hat Month
   Hispanic Heritage Month
   Honey Month
   International Square Dancing Month
   Little League Month
   National Blueberry Popsicle Month
   National Courtesy Month
   National Piano Month
   Self Improvement Month
September 1
   Emma M. Nutt Day (the first woman telephone operator)
   Calendar Adjustment Day
   National No Rhyme (Nor Reason) Day
September 2
  
National Beheading Day
   V-J Day (signing of the surrender document)
September 3
  
National Skyscraper Day
   US Bowling League Day
September 4
  
National Newspaper Carrier Day
   Eat an Extra Dessert Day
   National Macadamia Nut Day
   Another Look Unlimited Day
September 5
  
National Be Late For Something Day
   National Cheese Pizza Day
 
       

 

 

Zorro's Word
of the Week

 

MAJUSCULE

Pronunciation:  \MAJ-uh-skyool\

 

noun

 

Definition of MAJUSCULE

 

a large letter (such as a capital)

 

 

EXAMPLES
  

 

 

I can always recognize my brother's handwriting at a quick glance based on how

elaborately the majuscules are formed and how they dwarf the other letters.

"But it's hard to begrudge Souza his glittering life, in large part because no one seems more innocently

awed by it all than the man himself. (Consider the euphoric hashtags, such as … #sobeautiful, and

the all-caps captions that he favors; in Souza's world, nearly everything merits majuscules.)"

— Robert Haskell, Condé Nast Traveler, March 2015

 


DID YOU KNOW?
 

I

Majuscule looks like the complement to minuscule, and the resemblance is no coincidence. Minuscule appeared

in the early 18th century as a word for a lowercase letter, then later as the word for certain ancient and

medieval writing styles which had "small forms." Minuscule then acquired a more general adjectival use for

anything very small. Majuscule is the counterpart to minuscule when it comes to letters, but it never developed a

broader sense (despite the fact that its Latin ancestor majusculus has the broad meaning "rather large"). The

adjective majuscule also exists (as does majuscular). Not surprisingly, the adjective shares the noun's specificity,

referring only to large letters or to a style using such letters.

Test Your Vocabulary:

 

 What 6-letter word beginning with "u" is the name for a type of handwriting used in manuscripts

of the 4th to 8th centuries A.D. and made with rounded, separated majuscules?

 

The answer is …

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uncial

 

 


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VacaShopping for Summer

Don't you need some new fun stuff for summer? How about a Vaca flying disc?

Or a Vaca water bottle? Or some new Vaca T-shirts?

VacaDude’s creations are perfect for summer fun.

Check them all out at VacaDude's CafePress store! Support our beloved artist/broadcaster/friend!

http://www.cafepress.com/vacadude

Don't Forget the Dude's Spoonflower Page, too!

His fabrics would be great for summer outfits!!

http://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/vacadude

MollyTheOwlBooks

Eric has discontinued the sales of all his books and merchandise.

  The Molly Fans Cookbook was also offered through this website, so if you didn't get a copy

 of that and want one, let DotRot know and she'll do what she can to make it available to you.