Newsletter December 13 2015

A duck walks into a pub and orders a pint of beer and a ham sandwich.

The barman looks at him and says, “hang on! You’re a duck.”

“I see your eyes are working,” replies the duck.

“And you can talk!” exclaims the barman.

“I see your ears are working, too,” says the Duck. “Now if you don’t mind, can I have my beer and my sandwich please?”

“Certainly, sorry about that” says the barman as he pulls the duck’s pint. “It ‘s just we don’t get many ducks in this pub.. What are you doing round this way?”

“I’m working on the building site across the road,” explains the duck. “I’m a plasterer.”

The flabbergasted barman cannot believe the duck and wants to learn more, but takes the hint when the duck pulls out a newspaper from his bag and proceeds to read it.

So, the duck reads his paper, drinks his beer, eats his sandwich, bids the barman good day and leaves.

The same thing happens for two weeks.

Then one day the circus comes to town.

The ringmaster comes into the pub for a pint and the barman says to him “you’re with the circus, aren’t you? Well, I know this duck that could be just brilliant in your circus. He talks, drinks beer, eats sandwiches, reads the newspaper and everything!”

“Sounds marvelous,” says the ringmaster, handing over his business card. “Get him to give me a call.”

So the next day when the Duck comes into the pub the barman says, “hey Mr. Duck, I reckon I can line you up with a top job, paying really good money.”

“I’m always looking for the next job,” says the duck. “Where is it?”

“At the circus,” says the barman.

“The circus?” repeats the duck.

“That’s right,” replies the barman.

“The circus?” the duck asks again. “With the big tent?”

“Yeah,” the barman replies.

“With all the animals who live in cages, and performers who live in caravans?” says the duck.

“Of course,” the barman replies.

“And the tent has canvas sides and a big canvas roof with a hole in the middle?” persists the duck.

“That’s right!” says the barman.

The duck shakes his head in amazement, and says, “What the heck would they want with a plasterer?"


	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!" Today we have photos of a of a little bird who seems to think he's an owl.

	*Elsalynda*	Elsalynda's latest column entitled Nature in the City: 'Summertime' in November, is available online here: http://waltham.wickedlocal.com/article/20151203/NEWS/151208266

	TheDaddyBird, DotRot and ChatterChopz	We're moving! While this is certainly not the time of year we'd normally choose to move, we really had no choice. Our landlord elected not to renew our lease because of the many repairs he's not done to the house we're in. He says it will be easier to make the repairs if the house is empty. Sooooo - we've been house hunting. We've found one we all love. Its front yard looks out over the playground of the elementary school CC attended. It's got a beautiful working fireplace, a huge privacy-fenced backyard, an extra bathroom (CC get her own bathroom and she's thrilled!), and a nice big kitchen. We officially take possession on the 1st, but the landlord is letting us start moving in a little early so we can celebrate all of the 12 days of Christmas in the new house. Pray for us in this rather stressful time of moving.

	AnnSavage	On Oct. 27, I received three awards in the San Diego Press Club Excellence in Journalism competition! I write for Ramona Home Journal and Julian Journal, and was honored with two first-place awards and one third-place award for my articles! Links to the articles: First-place stories: http://ramonajournal.com/years-of-daffodil-dedication-p6637-271.htm https://ramonajournal.com/doortodoor-solicitors-raise-concerns-p7315-271.htm Third-place story: http://ramonajournal.com/journalism-students-close-the-book-on-inaugural-class-p6975-275.htm


	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.)


	*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: (as of 10/25/2015) Amazing what an injection in the right place can accomplish! My back started really hurting over two years ago, to the point I couldn't show my horses "in hand" when I would have to walk beside them, etc, and it was painful to lean over to harness them. I was diagnosed with sciatica, meaning the hole in the vertebrae where the sciatic nerve leaves the spine to go to the left leg was filling up with arthritis. But the doctors wouldn't fix it in 2014 because the Stage Zero Breast Cancer was more important. In 2015, cancer free, it was time to fix the back. I did get that injection for the sciatica last summer, and some relief, but that doctor told me something no other doctor had told me. Half of the pain I was experiencing as I walked, stood, etc was due to the sacroiliac joint where the spine meets the left side of the pelvis. Got a shot, well, three right in that joint Thursday and cannot believe how much better it is to walk and stand. Why couldn't they do that two years ago??? Not a magic wand, but so much better,

	*Elsalynda*	Keep Elsalynda in your prayers as she struggles with health, computer and weather related issues.

	*GentleDoe*	Latest update from GentleDoe (as of 11/22). GentleDoe gives us much more information on her situation and struggles. To read her entire post, click here.

	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)"
	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.

	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 NEW VIDEOS ADDED!!!


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

Southwest Florida Eagles

MINE!!!!

Let Go! Let Go! Let Go!!

Fetch and Go

Why Can't I Grab This Branch?

Just Stop It, Okay?

The Royals Won the Series!

	Hello Vriends,
	I hope everyone is having a nice weekend, and that you are all snug in your homes and not having to go out in the elements. We have certainly been having some weather today. Rain this morning, and some strong winds in the afternoon. And just cold cold cold. I apologize for the no-show last weekend. As Sunday wore on,I just kept feeling worse and worse--until all I wanted to do is crawl under the covers. But things are peachier today! So tonight I'll have Zorro read the StoryTime story that was written last weekend. Hopefully I'll be able to find something interesting to talk about. Might be difficult, given that I've basically been doing nothing but working all week. It's a busy time for work AND for the holidays. I went to the photography club's annual Christmas party last night. It was good to see everybody, though it was a bit frustrating to talk about photography when I haven't had much of a chance to do any for a few weeks. Anyway--we'll see you all in a bit!
	Cheers, VacaDude

	Hello there, Everbuddy!
	Zorro the mouse here, and I am taking a break from my fitting for my costume for tonight's broadcast. The Storytime has a Christmas theme, and the Dude has not had time to make me an actual Santa suit, so I'm having to go with the Elf costume that Sally sent a few years ago. So instead of your Elf on the Shelf, I will be the Mouse in the House tonight! Unfortunately, I guess I have been putting a lot of gorgonzola away lately, because that elf costume seems to have gotten a bit tight. Staying in shape is really hard for a house-bound mouse to do! Well, we'll see you at the StoryTime tonight!
	Yours Most Whiskerly, Zorro


	*Next StoryTime*	Sunday, January 3 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.
	*Invitation*

	Cream Cheese Wontons

	Ingredients:
	8 ounces cream cheese 2 whole green onions, light green and dark green parts, chopped 1 tablespoon sriracha or other hot sauce 1 whole egg ½ cup water 24 whole wonton wrappers Vegetable oil, for frying Dipping Sauce: 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce 3 tablespoons honey 1 teaspoon vinegar or rice wine vinegar ¼ teaspoon sesame oil 1 tablespoon sriracha, or other hot sauce

	Directions:
	Note: While working with the wonton wrappers, keep the opened package covered in plastic wrap and a towel as you're working on each wonton. They dry out quickly! In the bowl of a mixer (or you can do it by hand,) mix together the cream cheese, green onions, and Sriracha/hot sauce until totally combined (scrape the mixer bowl if necessary.) In a separate bowl, mix together the egg and water. One at a time, assemble the wontons: place approximately ½ teaspoon mixture on on corner of a wonton wrapper. Use your finger to "paint' the egg wash all around the edges of the wrapper. Roll the wrapper on a diagonal, starting with the cream cheese corner and stopping when half the wrapper is rolled and the cream cheese mixture is inside. Bring up the two ends and use the egg wash to stick them together. Allow the remaining pointed end to naturally tuck backward. (The wontons should resemble tortellini.) As you work, place the assembled wontons under plastic wrap or a light towel to keep them from drying. Heat 2-3 inches of oil in a large saucepan or medium skillet to just under 350°F (you don't want the oil too hot or it will burn the wontons! Experiment with a spare sheet of wonton wrappers to check. About 4 to 5 at a time, fry the wontons for about 45 seconds to 1 minute, flipping carefully midway through to make sure they brown evenly. Remove it when you still think it could stand to slightly, brown a teeny bit more (because it will slightly brown in the seconds after you remove it from the pan!) Drain the wontons on a paper towel and serve them with teriyaki sauce, hoisin sauce, etc. If you'd like to make your own sauce, Mix together the sauce ingredients above. Taste and amounts as needed. **It's good to wait 5-10 minutes before serving the wontons, as the cream cheese filling can be quite hot.


	Nutella Wontons

	Ingredients:
	24 whole Wonton Wrappers 1 jar Nutella 1 egg ½ cup water Vegetable Or Peanut Oil For Frying Powdered Sugar, For Dusting

	Directions:
	Mix together the egg and water. One at a time, assemble the wontons: use a knife to smear approximately ½ teaspoon Nutella on corner of a wonton wrapper, leaving a little bit of space from the corner. Use your finger to “paint’ the egg wash all around the edges of the wrapper. Roll the wrapper on a diagonal, starting with the Nutella corner and stopping when a little more than half the wrapper is rolled and the Nutella mixture is inside. Fold the two ends and use the egg wash to stick them together. Allow the remaining pointed end to naturally tuck backward. (The wontons should resemble tortellini.) As you work, place the assembled wontons under plastic wrap or a light towel to keep them from drying. Heat 2-3 inches of oil in a large saucepan or medium skillet to just under 350°F (you don’t want the oil too hot or it will burn the wontons! Experiment with a spare sheet of wonton wrappers to check. About 4 to 5 at a time, fry the wontons for about 45 seconds to 1 minute, flipping carefully midway through to make sure they brown evenly. Remove them when golden. Drain on a paper towel and dust generously with powdered sugar for serving. (Wait 3 to 4 minutes at least before eating since the Nutella will be hot.)


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

Barn Owls

	CARRI Colorado Avian Research and Rehabilitation Institute		http://www.carriep.org/ http://www.carriep.org/nest-cams/ Update—October 22nd: The cam has been switched off. It appears that the adult Barn Owls have abandoned their owlets. The owlets have been taken into captivity to finish growing. They will be released back into the wild as the weather permits. This may be next spring.

	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/

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

	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/

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


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

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


	How did Benjamin Franklin feel when he discovered electricity? Shocked!

	The gladiator was having a rough day in the arena. His opponent had sliced off both of his arms. Nevertheless, he kept on fighting, kicking and biting as furiously as he could. But when his opponent lopped off both feet, our gladiator had no choice but to give up, for now he was both unarmed and defeeted.

	What do you get when you cross the Godfather with a lawyer? An offer you can't understand.

	What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh. What do you call a snowman in July? A puddle.

	A duck walks into a pub and orders a pint of beer and a ham sandwich. The barman looks at him and says, “hang on! You’re a duck.” “I see your eyes are working,” replies the duck. “And you can talk!” exclaims the barman. “I see your ears are working, too,” says the Duck. “Now if you don’t mind, can I have my beer and my sandwich please?” “Certainly, sorry about that” says the barman as he pulls the duck’s pint. “It ‘s just we don’t get many ducks in this pub.. What are you doing round this way?” “I’m working on the building site across the road,” explains the duck. “I’m a plasterer.” The flabbergasted barman cannot believe the duck and wants to learn more, but takes the hint when the duck pulls out a newspaper from his bag and proceeds to read it. So, the duck reads his paper, drinks his beer, eats his sandwich, bids the barman good day and leaves. The same thing happens for two weeks. Then one day the circus comes to town. The ringmaster comes into the pub for a pint and the barman says to him “you’re with the circus, aren’t you? Well, I know this duck that could be just brilliant in your circus. He talks, drinks beer, eats sandwiches, reads the newspaper and everything!” “Sounds marvelous,” says the ringmaster, handing over his business card. “Get him to give me a call.” So the next day when the Duck comes into the pub the barman says, “hey Mr. Duck, I reckon I can line you up with a top job, paying really good money.” “I’m always looking for the next job,” says the duck. “Where is it?” “At the circus,” says the barman. “The circus?” repeats the duck. “That’s right,” replies the barman. “The circus?” the duck asks again. “With the big tent?” “Yeah,” the barman replies. “With all the animals who live in cages, and performers who live in caravans?” says the duck. “Of course,” the barman replies. “And the tent has canvas sides and a big canvas roof with a hole in the middle?” persists the duck. “That’s right!” says the barman. The duck shakes his head in amazement, and says, “What the heck would they want with a plasterer?"

	Upcoming Holidaze!
	December 13 National Cocoa Day National Ice Cream Day National Violins Day December 14 National Bouillabaisse Day Monkey Day TheDaddyBird's 60th Birthday TDB and DotRot's Anniversary December 15 National Lemon Cupcake Day Cat Herders Day Bill of Rights Day	December 16 National Chocolate Covered Anything Day Boston Tea Party Day December 17 National Underdog Day National Maple Syrup Day December 18 National Roast Suckling Pig Day Bake Cookies Day National Wear a Plunger on Your Head Day December 19 Oatmeal Muffin Day Look for an Evergreen Day