Jasmine

 I THOUGHT THIS WORTHY OF PASSING ALONG.

Jasmine

In 2003, police in Warwickshire, England, opened a garden shed and found a whimpering, cowering dog… It had been locked in the shed and abandoned. It was dirty and malnourished, and had clearly been abused.

In an act of kindness, the police took the dog, which was a Greyhound female, to the nearby Nuneaton Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary, run by a man named Geoff Grewcock and known as a willing haven for Animals abandoned, orphaned or otherwise in need.   Click for- http://www.warwickshirewildlifesanctuary.co.uk/index.htm

 

 

Geoff and the other sanctuary staff went to work with two aims to restore the dog to full health, and to win her trust. It took several weeks, but eventually both goals were achieved.

They named her Jasmine, and they started to think about finding her an adoptive home.  

 

                                                                                                                                                             

But Jasmine had other ideas. No-one remembers now how it began, but she started welcoming all Animal arrivals at the sanctuary. It wouldn’t matter if it was a puppy, a fox cub, a rabbit or, any other lost or hurting Animal, Jasmine would peer into the box or cage and, where possible, deliver a welcoming lick.

 

Geoff relates one of the early incidents. “We had two puppies that had been abandoned by a nearby railway line. One was a Lakeland Terrier cross and another was a Jack Russell Doberman cross. They were tiny when they arrived at the centre and Jasmine approached them and grabbed one by the scruff of the neck in her mouth and put him on the settee. Then she fetched the other one and sat down with them, cuddling them.”

“But she is like that with all of our animals, even the rabbits. She takes all the stress out of them and it helps them to not only feel close to her but to settle into their new surroundings.

 

 

“She has done the same with the fox and badger cubs, she licks the rabbits and guinea pigs and even lets the birds perch on the bridge of her nose.”

Jasmine, the timid, abused, deserted waif, became the animal sanctuary’s resident surrogate mother, a role for which she might have been born. The list of orphaned and abandoned youngsters she has cared for comprises five fox cubs, four badger cubs, 15 chicks, eight guinea pigs, two stray puppies and 15 rabbits.

And one roe deer fawn. Tiny Bramble, 11 weeks old, was found semi-conscious in a field. Upon arrival at the sanctuary, Jasmine cuddled up to her to keep her warm, and then went into the full foster mum role. Jasmine the greyhound showers Bramble the Roe deer with affection and makes sure nothing is matted.

 

 

 “They are inseparable,” says Geoff “Bramble walks between her legs and they keep kissing each other. They walk together round the sanctuary.

It’s a real treat to see them.”

 

  Jasmine will continue to care for Bramble until she is old enough to be returned to woodland life. When that happens, Jasmine will not be lonely. She will be too busy showering love and affection on the next Orphan or victim of abuse.

 From left, Toby, a stray Lakeland dog; Bramble, orphaned Roe deer; Buster, a stray Jack Russell; a dumped rabbit; Sky, an injured barn owl; and Jasmine with a Mothers heart doing best what a caring Mother would do…. Such is the order of God’s Creation.

 

 Until next time, take care and God Bless,

Judi

 

 

Maddie’s Birthday

I have been back from California for a week now. I have been busy getting ready for our “cousin’s” vacation. There are eight of our girl cousins coming to visit. They arrive on Sunday and will stay a week.  Jan and I are looking forward to their visit. I will tell you about it next week.

My visit to CA was great. I enjoyed the time I spent with my grandchildren and happy to meet Lori’s friend, Mark, and his family. They were all great people.  I was with the kids for five days by myself while Lori was gone. On the last day of our adventure, Saturday, March 7th, we celebrated Maddison’s 12th birthday with a pool party. I have enclosed some pictures. The boys in the pool are Alex, Andrew and Mark’s son Wyatt. The girls are Maddie, Maisie (Mark’s daughter), and two of Maddie’s friends, Kayley and Lexie.

 

This was Maddie’s cake.

 

This is the sign and decorated patio.

 

Mark, Wyatt, Nancy (Mark’s mother), Don ( Mark’s father), and Alex.

Maddie & Maisie on the float, Kayley at far left.

The boys.

This is Lori and Mark after Lori’s return on Sunday.

 

This is Maisie and Wyatt, Mark’s kids.

Drew, Maddie and Alex at Lake Skinner the first weekend I was there.

 

Alex on the Ehrhardt’s motorcycle.  Nancy & Don Ehrhardt,  (Mark’s parents).

Lori’s new vehicle.

It was a good trip, very enjoyable, but I am glad to be back home looking forward to my next adventure. Until next time, take care and God Bless.

Judi

California here I come!

Well I am going back to California. I am leaving today. But only for two weeks.  I will fly back March 11 on Vicki’s birthday. The Navy is sending Lori to a Nursing Conference, out of state, so I am going there to babysit and visit. (Perhaps, I should say “teen” sit since Alex is now 16, Andrew 14, and Maddie will have her 12th birthday while I am there. A long way from the 10, 8, and 6 when I first went to stay with them. They are great kids. Lori has done a very good job raising them. I am very proud of her. I will be happy to see them all again. I really do miss them.

On another note, here are some pictures of the shuffleboard tournament the park is having. It is down to the final four with the finals being held Sunday. It was double elimination and I was out after two matches. My sister Jan beat me out the second match. I mean BEAT me bad. A real “Family Feud” LOL

The lady in the middle is Anita. She beat me my first match on the last puck. It was a good match “right down to the wire”.

Dean, in the red shirt in the foreground is a finalist in the “loser’s bracket”

My sister Jan on the left and Janet on the right. Janet is the only woman left and is a finalist in the “winner’s bracket”. So she is guaranteed at least third place.

Bob talking while contestants were waiting to begin.

Dave is taking a picture of Dean and his wife Mert. Dave will play Dean in the finals of the loser’s bracket.

Perry, on the left and first in the foreground, will be playing Janet in the finals of the winner’s bracket. Next to Perry is Harry, the oldest in the park at 92. His wife, Irene, is the last lady on the bench and is 89. A good time was had by all even though it was a little cool early on. It warmed up nicely though.

Until next time, take care and God Bless,

Judi

Super Bowl Sunday

I guess it is about time I reported on the Super Bowl party I held on Super Bowl Sunday. It even made the local paper called the “Hometown Sun”. Here are the pictures they published in their paper:

This is some of the 36 people who attended my party. They are enjoying the food and conversation before the Big Game. This is my “Screen room”. The door to the left opens onto my driveway.

This is the other end of my screen room. The sliding glass doors open to the backyard. There is an orange tree there.

This is the mode of transportation inside the park, bicycles, three wheelers, golf carts or just walk. I have an electric scooter.

As everyone knows it was the Steelers vs. the Cardinals. Cheering for the Steelers were Darryl Burns and Michael Mills, both from Ohio.  Jan & Bob Barker, my sister and brother-in-law from Indiana, were pulling for the Cardinals.  This was taken outside at my front window.

This was the 100 square board. Participants donated a $1 a square.

And here is the happy final winner. Yes it is my sister, Jan; and NO it wasn’t rigged. lol

Here are two more pictures that weren’t in the article.

This is the “smoker’s area,  just outside the screen room.

All three TVs were decorated with the Steelers-Cardinal helmets and the football referee.

There was plenty of good food and a good time was had by all.

Until next time, take care and God Bless,

Judi

 

Remember Devin, The Model?

Do you remember the post I did on Devin the model?  I posted it a a full year ago, on January 18, 2008 . It was one of my earliest posts.  At that time I stated :  ”He is the son of a very good “friend”, “Baseball Buddy”, “Card-playing Pal” of mine that I dearly love. His son and my grandson David are only 6 wks. apart in age and I have some terrific pictures of them as toddlers. (Get real famous Devin lol). His wife Barb, Wayne and I all taught together at Conway MS in Louisville, KY, years ago. It was some of the best years of my life. At one time we had best faculty and Principal you could ever imagine.”

You can go back and read the entire post if you want to know more about Devin’s story. Here is the latest I have on Devin who graduated from Our Lady of Providence High School in Clarksville, IN. last May. This is a picture I received from his Mom, Barbara.

There were no comments, just the picture. I emailed her back and asked her if that was Devin. Here is her reply: 

“It is!  In Milan–where he’s at now doing the winter shows–he’s back in Paris now, and he’ll be back home (for the time being) on the 26th–”

Isn’t that GREAT!  Way to go Devin (and Wayne and Barb for their guidance and trust in Devin).

Until next time, take care and God Bless.

Judi

SCHOOL — 1957 vs. 2007

This was sent to me by my cousin Beverly. I thought it was worth sharing.

 

SCHOOL — 1957 vs. 2007

 

Scenario:
Jack goes quail hunting before school, pulls into school parking lot with shotgun in gun rack.
1957 - Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack’s shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack.

2007 - School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail
and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.   

 

 

  Scenario:
Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school.
1957 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies. 

 2007 - Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and Mark,
charges them with assault, both expelled, even though Johnny 

started it.

 

Scenario:

Jeffrey won’t be still in class, disrupts other students.
1957 - Jeffrey sent to office and given a good paddling by the Principal. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class 

again.

2007 - Jeffrey given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie.
Tested for ADD. School gets extra money from state because Jeffrey has a disability.
 

Scenario:
Billy breaks a window in his neighbor’s car
and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.
1957 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.

 
2007 - Billy’s dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster

care and joins a gang. State psychologist tells Billy’s sister that she remembers  being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy’s mom has affair with psychologist.
 

Scenario:
Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.
1957 - Mark shares aspirin with Principal out on the smoking dock.

2007 - Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug violations.
Car searched for drugs and weapons. 

 

Scenario:
Pedro fails high school English.
1957 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English and goes to 

college.

2007 - Pedro’s cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles  appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. ACLU files class action lawsuit against state school system and Pedro’s English teacher. English banned from core curriculum. Pedro given diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English. 

  

Scenario:
Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from 4th of July,
puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, blows up a red ant bed.
1957 - Ants die. 

 

2007-BATF, Homeland Security, FBI called Johnny charged with  domestic terrorism, FBI investigates parents,  siblings removed from home, computers confiscated, Johnny’s Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

        

Scenario:
Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee.
He is found crying by his teacher, Mary.  Mary hugs him to comfort him.
1957 - In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.

 

2007 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job.
She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.

 

Think about it, Is this progress?

As a former teacher, I can really appreciate the last scenario.

 

Until next time, take care and God Bless,

Judi

 

Manure… An interesting fact

I hope this is not offensive to anyone. If so, I apologize. I just thought it was interesting.
 
 Manure: In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported by ship and it was also before commercial fertilizer’s invention, so large shipments of manure were common.
 
It was shipped dry, because in dry form it weighed a lot less than when wet, but once water (at sea) hit it, it not only became heavier, but the process of fermentation began again, of which a by product is methane gas. As the stuff was stored below decks in bundles you can see what could (and did) happen. Methane began to build up below decks and the first time someone came below at night with a lantern, BOOOOM!
 
Several ships were destroyed in this manner before it was determined just what was happening. After that, the bundles of manure were always stamped with the term, ‘Ship High In Transit’ on them, which meant for the sailors to stow it high enough off the lower decks so that any water that came into the hold would not touch this volatile cargo and start the production of methane. Thus evolved the term ‘S.H.I.T,’ (Ship High In Transit) which has come down through the centuries and is in use to this very day.  You probably did not know the true history of this word.  Neither did I.

 

I had always thought it was a golf term.  J

 

 Until next time, take care and God Bless,

Judi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE YEAR 1908

THE YEAR 1908

 This will boggle your mind, I know it did mine! The year is 1908. One hundred years ago.
What a difference a century makes! Here are some statistics for the Year 1908 :
************ ********* ********* ******

The average life expectancy was 47 years.

Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.

Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.

There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles of paved roads.

The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.

The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower!

The average wage in 1908 was 22 cents per hour.

The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year .

A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year, a dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.

More than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME .

Ninety percent of all doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION!

Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press AND the government as ‘substandard. ‘

Sugar cost four cents a pound.

Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.

Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.

Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.

Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country for any reason.

Five leading causes of death were:

1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke

The American flag had 45 stars.

The population of Las Vegas , Nevada, was only 30!!!!

Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea hadn’t been invented yet.

There was no Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.

Two out of every 10 adults couldn’t read or write.

Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.

Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores. Back then pharmacists said, ‘Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind,regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health.’ ( Shocking? DUH! )

Eighteen percent of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help.

There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE ! U.S.A. !

Now I forwarded this from someone else without typing it myself, and sent it to you and others all over Canada & U.S.A,  possibly the world, in a matter of seconds!

Try to imagine what it may be like in another 100 years.   IT STAGGERS THE MIND!!!!!!!!!!!

Until next time, takecare and God Bless,

Judi

Last of Renovations in Florida Room

 I am finished with my Florida Room renovations for now. I am  getting tired of working and want to spend some time doing other things. The improvement is amazing as you can see in the pictures below. This is the last part of the outside wall ready to be insulated and paneled. 

This is the after picture.

 I have rearranged the furniture so I have an “office area” at the front end of the mobile and a “sitting room” on the other end. This is the office area:

and this is the sitting area:

 

This is my “messy” computer desk where I spent a lot of my time.

2009 has started on a good note for me and I hope for all of you as well. Gas prices are down and even tho the economy is still shaky, hopefully it will steadily improve.  Louis is home from Iraq, safe, healthy, and back to work. Lisa is settled into her new job and her relationship with Bobby is on the “uptick” again.  Leslie is Leslie, what can I say. She has an apartment of her own and seems to be making it even though it is a struggle. Lori and Mark are progressing in their relationship and the kids all seem happy with it. He has two children, Wyatt,  Andrew’s age and Maisie who will be 10 Feb. 1st.  I have talked to Maisie on the telephone and she seems as “upbeat” as Maddie.   I hope at the end of this year I can say we are all no worse off than we are today. If we are better it will be an extra blessing. I wish the same for all of you.

NOTE TO  Janet B.: Haven’t heard from you in awhile. Hope you and Bob are both well. I know you are always busy, but I worry about Bob’s heart. Is everything okay?

NOTE TO Peggy  W.: How was your trip to Seattle.  I heard the “not so good” weather reports during the time you were supposed to be traveling there. Any problems with the air travel? Did you actually go?  How was the visit if you did. Haven’t heard from you in a while .

NOTE TO PATTI in Cincinnati: Miss your updates. I know you were busy over the holidays, we all were. Now let me know what you and Bill are up to. I hope all is well with you both and the stock market has not taken it’s toll on you.

NOTE to ALL: please give me a few days notice when you are ready to come visit. The door is always open. That means you, too, Karen & A.J.

Until next time, take care and God Bless,

Judi

Happy Holidays

I guess everyone has been busy this holiday season. I know I have. Hope you are all enjoying yourselves as much as I am. I heard from all four of my children on Christmas Day. Louis & Dawn are enjoying Vegas. Lori & Lisa both worked on Christmas Day, but had time to celebrate too. Maddison got a cell phone for Christmas and is thrilled. I hear from her about everyday now, so I am glad she got it too. (Usually by “text message”.)

I spent Christmas Day at the movie theater.  I saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Valkyrie, and Marley and Me. It had been a while since I last went to the movies and I enjoyed all of them. By the attendance in each movie I would say Marley and Me was the most popular.

The park was quiet today. Everyone taking a rest from yesterday, I guess. Some of the ladies went shopping for after Christmas bargins. Some residents returning from gatherings out of town with family.

I joined “facebook”. Some of you may be familiar with it and even use it. I am going to see how that works out. If it does good for me then I may close down this website.  I opened this site last January 6th, so it is almost one year old. So far I have had 123 posts. That is one about every three days on the average. Let me know what you think.

Thanks to everyone who sent Christmas Cards either by mail or email. I enjoyed them very much.

Until next time, take care and God Bless,

Judi