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| VacaChat News | Vriends News | Zorro's Corner | Recommended Watching | Fun Stuff | Newsletter Archives |
Vaca Shopping |
August 14, 2016
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| Broadcast Schedule | Channel Links | Important News |
| Today!!! Sunday, August 14, 2016 |
| 3 PM PST/6 PM EST |
| No Story Writing! We'll write again in September (Exact date TBA). |
| 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, August 21, 2016 |
| 3 PM PST/6 PM EST |
| No Story Writing! We'll write again in September (Exact date TBA). |
| 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) |
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| 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 |
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| If you use the pop-out links, it is recommended that you open two browser windows. That way, if one needs to be refreshed, the other is not affected. |
| 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! |
 MODs Foundation |
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The 5th Anniversary International MOD Meet!!! |
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Click on the title above to see the entire Laughing Outside the Box 2015 series. |
| VacaChat Broadcast Changes |
| Look here for any changes to upcoming broadcasts. |
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| A Note from the Dude | Chatter News |
Prayer Requests |
Vaca Blog |
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| Hello Vriends, | ||
|
Sorry for the lateness--I was tardy in getting my notes to
DotRot. Yesterday our garbage disposal exploded, and Mary found
herself standing in a pool of water. So I got to work on it,
found out the unit was toast. We went and got a new one, and I
put it in. But then in trying to put the drainpipes back, I
found them leaking all over the place because of a lot of
corrosion. So today I basically re-plumbed the whole drain
system under both sinks in the kitchen. So it's good as new now,
and the disposal is brand new. But boy, am I ever tired! What's
more, I had a whole long list of things I wanted to do this
weekend, and now the weekend is just about over. Tomorrow I am
back at the Chinese Christian school. That gig has turned out to
be very stressful, but hopefully it will be done net week.
This morning I watched the SpaceX launch--they had another successful satellite deployment and first-stage landing on the barge. Very exciting! One funny thing though--a bunch of folks I talk with on Facebook who are space enthusiasts went to Titusville (a town directly across the Indian River from the Kennedy Space Center) to watch the launch. They were surprised and delighted when the got to a certain parking lot and found it packed with folks at round midnight. They thought "wow--so many people finally getting excited about the space program!" But then they found out the truth--it was a whole bunch of people who were playing Pokémon Go, and there were certain critters to be had in that parking lot. I don't know if you have been hearing the various stories about that game, but the whole thing is pretty silly. And speaking of space, did you get to see any of the Perseids meteor shower? It wasn't huge, but I did get a chance to see a few streaking across the sky. Well, speaking of streaking--I think I need to get going. So much to get done before I'm back on the road with that killer commute again tomorrow. So I'll chat with y'all later! Cheers, VacaDude p.s. By streaking, I meant I should be off like a streak of light. I didn't mean the reference from the 1970s--I'm definitely going to keep my clothes on! :D |
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| Cheers, VacaDude | ||
| 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 a family photo from Disney World and a photo of a giant spidey. |
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| Elsalynda | Elsalynda's latest column entitled Nature in the
City: Hot Town, is available online here: http://waltham.wickedlocal.com/news/20160806/nature-in-city-hot-town |
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| Littleguys | Update as of August 2016: Great news. Both her mammogram and her oncologist have declared her to be cancer free for the second year in a row. She sends thank yous to all the people that have given her moral support. Also thank you to those of you who sent well wishes and congratulations on her Facebook page. | ||
| 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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| DotRot |
I'm going to go out on a limb here and ask everyone worldwide for some
special prayers. Please pray for the fostering and healing of relationships between races and ethnicities, between citizens and law enforcement and other officials, and between differing faiths. This madness must stop! |
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| 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 |
UPDATE: (as of
6/19/2016) KSBorn writes: My Cancer has now Spread to my Upper Spine. So we are changing my Chemo and Hormone Blocker. Please continue the Prayers. I will keep you up-dated. |
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| 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) |
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| Elsalynda | (as of 3/27) Keep Elsalynda in your prayers. Elsa was recently in Mexico and had a great time until she was hospitalized there! Keep her in your prayers for continued good health for herself and her bird Nupi. | ||
| GentleDoe | Has anyone heard
from GentleDoe lately? The latest update we
have from GentleDoe is from 1/10/2016.
GentleDoe gives us much more information on her situation and
struggles. To read her entire post, click
here.
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| 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)" |
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| 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) |
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| http://vacadude.wordpress.com/ | ||
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| Vaca YouTube | ||
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Be sure to check out the Dude's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/splinesmith/videos NEW VIDEOS ADDED!!! |
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| A Message From Zorro | StoryTime News | Recipe of the Week |
| Hello there, Everbuddy! | ||
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Oh boy, oh boy--just one more week to go and we will be
going back to the fair! This time it is the Yolo County
Fair, and that will be the last for the season. I can
almost taste the corn dogs. And maybe I will have some
bacon-wrapped sweet corn this time! And then I shall
ride rides, get dizzy, and have all that yummy food come
right back up! (Ewwwww...)
Have you been watching the Olympics? I have been watching the volleyballz, the soccerz, the rugbyz, the swimmingz, and more! Makes me wish I could compete. I think I would do pretty well in the 19 foot long drop event. At least, I did pretty well back on that night when I had my brief visitation to Molly's Owl Box! Well, speaking of the Olympics (or Owlympics), I think I'm going to go watch some now. During the slow parts, Freddy and I are going to map-out our itinerary for the fair next week. you wouldn't think there would be much for a mouse and a frog to do, but it's the last event--we need to make sure we get everything done that we want to get done! Deep-fried foods, here we come!! |
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| Yours Most Whiskerly, Zorro |
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| Next StoryTime | Sunday, September 4 (or 11), 2016 3:00 PM PST/6:00 PM EST |
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| Title | TBA | ||
| Invitation | We REALLY 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.
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Our Best Spaghetti |
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3 pounds lean ground beef 3-4 medium zucchini or yellow squash |
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| Directions: | |||
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Brown the three meats together, until almost all pink is gone. Drain
well. Add onions to the meat mixture, and continue cooking until meat is done and onions are tender. Drain again. Chop meat into small pieces. Mash the cloves of the roasted garlic. Add to meat mixture and heat through. Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, beef base (or bouillon crystals), sugar, Parmesan cheese, and seasonings. Add about ½ quart beef broth and bring the mixture to a low simmer. Simmer for about 30 minutes, adding more broth as needed. You want a nice thick sauce without any excess juices. While sauce is simmering, cut zucchini using a spiral slicer (or julienne them). Place in a heat proof bowl. Pour boiling water over the zucchini and allow to stand until ready to serve. Just before serving, drain well. This sauce freezes well in Ziploc bags. It’s also great to use it to make cheese topped “Italian Sloppy Joes” or quick and easy pizzas. |
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Perfect Pound Cake |
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4 cups plain/all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 2 cups unsalted butter, softened 2 cups caster/granulated sugar 6 large eggs, room temperature 1½ tablespoons vanilla extract 1 cup Greek style yogurt |
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| Directions: | |||
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Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease two 9x5” loaf pans or one Bundt pan
and set aside. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter until light and fluffy. Add the sugar and beat until combined. Mix in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract and yogurt, then gradually fold in the dry ingredients. Pour the batter into the prepared pans, and bake for 50 - 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cover loosely with aluminum foil halfway through baking to prevent the bread from browning too much. Leave to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing and serving. This cake freezes well. Wrap the whole loaf in aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving. |
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| Owl Cams | Other Bird Cams | Other Nature Cams | Video Picks of the Week | Inspiration |
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| Puffins | |||||
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Shetland Islands Puffins | http://www.shetland.org/puffincam/ | |||
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Sea Island, Maine |
http://explore.org/live-cams/player/puffin-burrow-cam | |||
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Sea Island, Maine |
http://explore.org/live-cams/player/puffin-loafing-ledge-cam These pages also contain links to numerous other nature cams. |
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| Eagles | |||||
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Southwest Florida Eagles
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi6DdvVbbi8 | |||
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Black Eagle |
http://www.africam.com/wildlife/black_eagle_webcam |
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Decorah Eagles |
http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles | |||
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Berry College Eagle Cam |
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/berry-eagle-cam | |||
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http://www.pixcontroller.com/eagles/index.htm | ||||
| Peregrine Falcons | |||||
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PA Falcon Cam |
http://www.pacast.com/players/falcon.asp | |||
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Commerce Tower Peregrines |
http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/wildlife-cameras/peregrine-falcon-web-camera Cam not live now but should be returning soon. |
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Pitt Peregrine Falcon |
http://www.aviary.org/PF-NestCam1 | |||
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Gulf Tower Peregrine Falcon |
http://www.aviary.org/PF-NestCam2 | |||
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Emily
Falcon Cam |
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/emily-falcon-cam | |||
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RFalconCam |
http://rfalconcam.com/rfc-main/ | |||
| Talking Birds | |||||
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Watch the Birdie |
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/Watch-the-Birdie | |||
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Disco |
https://www.youtube.com/user/MsJumpinJude/videos | |||
| Other Birds | |||||
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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 |
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California Condor San Diego Zoo Safari Park San Diego, California |
http://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/cams/condor-cam | |||
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KC Zoo Penguin Cam |
http://www.kansascityzoo.org/penguincam |
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Whidbey Island Back Porch other assorted birds |
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/katersch | |||
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Hellgate Ospreys |
http://cams.allaboutbirds.org/channel/27/Hellgate_Ospreys/ | |||
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Ostrich Chicks |
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http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ostrich-egg-cam-live | ||
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Streaming Bird Cams |
http://www.beakspeak.com/ | |||
| Pandas | ||||
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San Diego Zoo Pandas |
www.sandiegozoo.org (click
on live cams)
or
http://www.ustream.tv/sandiegozoo. Zoo's
blogs: http://blognew.sandiegozoo.org/category/animals-and-plants/giant-pandas/ |
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Twin Pandas at |
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Giant Panda Cam |
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/webcams/giant-panda.cfm | ||
| Bears | ||||
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Kansas City Polar Bears |
http://www.kctv5.com/category/244581/nikita-berlin-polar-bear-cam | ||
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Brown Bears and Salmon |
http://explore.org/#!/live-cams/player/brown-bear-salmon-cam-brooks-falls (lots of other cams at this site, as well) |
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Black Bears |
http://www.bear.org/website/live-cameras/live-cameras/holly-bears-den-cam-live.html | ||
| Other Animal and Nature Sites | ||||
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Golden Paw-Prints Classic Golden Retrievers Oshkosh, Wisconsin |
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/golden-retriever-puppy-cam All the puppies have gone to their forever homes. The cam is now offline. |
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San Diego Zoo and Safari Park |
http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/ | ||
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Wild Earth Safari Cam | http://www.ustream.tv/channel/wildearth-safaris | ||
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The Pet Collective |
http://www.thepetcollective.tv/livestreams/ | ||
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Critter Chat Cams |
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Friends of Felines Rescue
Center |
www.ustream.tv/ffrc | ||
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Little House |
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CC's Page of Links (scheduled for updating) |
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| Other Sites of Interest | ||||
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Fascinating Information about the Jeweled City | |||
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John has talked about the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition
(PPIE). Tzunamie found us this link: |
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| 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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AWWWW! Baby Pandas!
video.nationalgeographic.com/video/magazine/160713-ngm-rewilding-pandas
Classic Comedy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5lKbtCmvzI
Honey Badger Houdini
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c36UNSoJenI
2016 Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzenlPYqJlc
Painting With a Toddler
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhOWg2a05rA
Talking Dogs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SCEmSHqMnw
Bonding
video.nationalgeographic.com/video/magazine/160615-ngm-virunga-national-park
Incredible Pantomime
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3RthqsEaeQ
A Little Girl and Her Duck
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlyEpwZMjPc
Mutual Rescue
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rm0qYRWQpZI
Freedom
Motivational Speaker Techniques
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZBKX-6Gz6A
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| Just for the Fun of It |
Fun Animations | Photo of the Week | Zorro's Word of the Week |
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Another Fair Specialty for Zorro
http://www.spendwithpennies.com/grilled-bacon-wrapped-corn/
For the Dude's Birthday
http://blog.eeboo.net/2013/08/craft-idea-birthday-cake-box/
Mouse Cheese Snack
http://www.funnyfoodsrecipes.com/mouse-cheese-snack/
Spidey Hand Puppet
(I think I'd add a few more legs.)
http://lalymom.com/itsy-bitsy-spider-finger-puppet/
Freddy, the Fair Frog
http://rhapsodyofcacophony.blogspot.com/2012/03/leap-frog-day.html
Olympic Photoshop
Best Reaction Ever
At Least He Saved the Shoe
The Chair Won This Round
The Gautlet of Distraction
(in two parts)
From the Dude
Here are the photos I mentioned in the Notez.
First is the Rainbow Swoosh, a light painting.
Next, is an extreme close-up of a red agate.
And this is the 3D model of the Juno lander.
Sharoot's Caboose
Sharoot shares,
"
Eeewwww! I took this photo of giant spidey made from Legos at Brookgreen Gardens in South Carolina.
| Kyle's well known among his friends for his "triple
groaner" riddles and jokes. Now he shares them with VacaFamily. Enjoy! |
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Why should you never undress in front of a Pokemon?
Cuz they might Pikachu!!! |
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Jimmy was sent to prison for his crimes, but upon arrival at the
correctional facility, he told the warden he wasn't at all
worried about his future. He knew he wouldn't have to serve the
full term of his penalty. "Why's that, Jimmy?" the warden asked
"Sure of your appeal, are you?" "No, sir," Jimmy replied.
"Already making plans to escape, then?" "Not a one, Warden."
"Then why are you so sure you'll be out of here before your time
is up?" "Well, Warden," says Jimmy, "it's like this. In the
entire time I've been married; my wife has yet to let me finish
a sentence!"
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1 1 was a race horse. 2 2 was 1 2. 1 1 1 1 race 1 day. 2 2 1 1 2.
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I've decided to sell my vacuum. Well, it was just gathering dust! | |||
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When do you go at red and stop at green? When you're eating a watermelon. |
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| An Englishman, a Scotsman, an Irishman,
a Welshman, a Gurkha, a Latvian, a Turk, an Aussie, two Kiwis, a German,
an American, a South African, a Cypriot, an Egyptian, a Japanese, a
Mexican a Spaniard, a Russian, a Pole, a Lithuanian, a Swede, a Finn, an
Israeli, a Dane, a Romanian, a Bulgarian, a Serb, a Swiss, a Greek, a
Singaporean, an Italian, a Norwegian, a Libyan and an Ethiopian went to
a night club. The bouncer said, "Sorry, I can't let you in without a Thai." |
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| Upcoming Holidaze! | |||
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3rd Week in August Friendship Week August 14 National Creamsicle Day VJ Day (surrender was announced) National Navajo Code Talkers Day August 15 National Relaxation Day National Failures Day August 16 Bratwurst Festival National Rum Day National Tell a Joke Day |
August 17 National Thrift Shop Day National Vanilla Custard Day Men’s Grooming Day August 18 National Bad Poetry Day National Soft Ice Cream Day August 19 National Potato Day National Aviation Day Humanitarian Day William J. Clinton’s Birthday (1946) August 20 National Radio Day Lemonade Day Homeless Animal Day Benjamin Harrison’s Birthday (1833) |
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HYPOCORISM
Pronunciation: \hye-PAH-kuh-riz-um\
noun
Definition of HYPOCORISM
1: a pet name
2: the use of pet names
EXAMPLES
People began to refer to the elusive and mysterious Loch Ness monster
by the hypocorism "Nessie" in the 1940s.
"… the use of hypocorisms … is on the decline (only my Aunt Dorothy is still
called Toots), and terms
of endearment have come under suspicion ('Call me Dollboat or Sweetie-Pie one more time,
Mr. Snodgrass, and you've got a harassment suit on your hands')."
— William Safire, The New York Times, 27 Sept. 1992
DID YOU KNOW?
In Late Latin and Greek, the words hypocorisma and hypokorisma had the same meaning as hypocorism does
in English today. They in turn evolved from the Greek verb hypokorizesthai ("to call by pet names"), which
itself comes from korizesthai ("to caress"). Hypocorism joined the English language in the mid-19th century
and was once briefly a buzzword among linguists, who used it rather broadly to mean "adult baby talk"—that is,
the altered speech adults use when supposedly imitating babies. Once the baby talk issue faded, hypocorism settled
back into being just a fancy word for a pet name. Pet names can be diminutives like "Johnny" for "John," endearing
terms such as "honey-bunch," or, yes, names from baby talk,
like "Nana" for "Grandma."
Test Your Vocabulary
Fill in the blanks to create a noun that refers to the act of naming things:
_ _ me _ cl _ t _ _ e.
Answer below:
NOMENCLATURE
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VacaShopping for the Holidays
A NEW VacaShopping Site!!!
Vaca is now posting new items to Zazzle!
His new store is at: www.zazzle.com/Vacadude
The first item available is a note card or greeting card with an all new
Vaca drawing on the front.
Check it out at:
http://www.zazzle.com/owl_igloo_holiday_card-137686885203006237
Don't you need some new decorations for Valentine's Day?
Just think of all the VacaDude gifts!
Check them all out at VacaDude's CafePress store! Support our beloved
artist/broadcaster/friend!
http://www.cafepress.com/vacadude
MollyTheOwlBooks
Eric has discontinued the sales of all his books and merchandise.
of that and want one, let DotRot know
and she'll do what she can to make it available to you.
