Best of Summer: COUNTRY GARDENS

Posted on July 8, 2016 by wordcloud9

Whatever the weather is wherever you are, here’s some lovely music and beautiful flowers for a perfect summer day.

Happy 134th Birthday to Percy Grainger, born in this day, July 8, in 1882 in Melbourne, Australia. The music is his Country Gardens.

Summer Country Garden

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Planting the Meadow

by Mary Makofske

I leave the formal garden of schedules
where hours hedge me, clip the errant sprigs
of thought, and day after day, a boxwood
topiary hunt chases a green fox
never caught. No voice calls me to order
as I enter a dream of meadow, kneel
to earth and, moving east to west, second
the motion only of the sun. I plant
frail seedlings in the unplowed field, trusting
the wildness hidden in their hearts. Spring light
sprawls across false indigo and hyssop,
daisies, flax. Clouds form, dissolve, withhold
or promise rain. In time, outside of time,
the unkempt afternoons fill up with flowers.

“Planting the Meadow” was originally published in the May 2001 issue of Poetry magazine
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/detail/41192

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ON THIS DAY: July 8, 2016

Posted on July 8, 2016 by wordcloud9

July 8th is:

Chocolate with Almonds Day

National Blueberry Day

Video Games Day

video-game-collage

Taos Pueblo Pow Wow opens

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD

Eid Al Fitr, the end of Ramadan,international Flags
is celebrated in many countries

Argentina – Día de la Independencia

Malaysia – Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Ukraine – Family Day

On This Day in HISTORY

1497 – Vasco da Gama embarks on first direct Europena voyage to India

1663 – Charles II of England grants Rhode Island Royal charter to John Clarke

1822 – English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley drowns while sailing the Italian coast

Shelley at the Baths of Caracalla

1839 – John D. Rockefeller, future world’s richest oil tycoon, is born

1889 – The first issue of the Wall Street Journal is published

1896 – William Jenning Bryan “Cross of Gold” speech at Democratic Convention

1948 – The U.S. Air Force recruits first women into its W.A.F. program

1958 – Soundtrack for Oklahoma! awarded the first gold record album

1960 – U2 Incident: USSR charges US pilot Francis Gary Powers with espionage

1966 – The Beatles release ‘Nowhere Man’

1999 – J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is published

2011 – US Space Shuttle program launches Atlantis on program’s final mission

Painting: Shelley in the Baths of Caracalla by Joseph Severn
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Word Cloud: DEEP

Posted on July 8, 2016 by wordcloud9

Word Cloud Resized

by NONA BLYTH CLOUD

Some poetry is bold and LOUD.

Some poetry is full of  SymbØli℠.

Some poetry is full of RAGE, or Sorrow or Pain.

William Stafford (1914–1993) wrote poems in a soft-spoken voice, poems that seem direct and simple, but seep into you and make your mind turn them over and over, finding something new with each turning.

A life-long pacifist, he called himself one of “the quiet of the land.”

He wrote every day, but didn’t begin to publish his poetry until he was in his forties. In 1962, when he was 48 years old, his second book of poetry, Traveling Through the Dark, won the National Book Award for Poetry.

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Read the title poem from his book, and you’ll see why a little-known poet would be honored with such a prestigious award:

Traveling through the Dark

Traveling through the dark I found a deer
dead on the edge of the Wilson River road.
It is usually best to roll them into the canyon:
that road is narrow; to swerve might make more dead.

By glow of the tail-light I stumbled back of the car
and stood by the heap, a doe, a recent killing;
she had stiffened already, almost cold.
I dragged her off; she was large in the belly.

My fingers touching her side brought me the reason—
her side was warm; her fawn lay there waiting,
alive, still, never to be born.
Beside that mountain road I hesitated.

The car aimed ahead its lowered parking lights;
under the hood purred the steady engine.
I stood in the glare of the warm exhaust turning red;
around our group I could hear the wilderness listen.

I thought hard for us all—my only swerving—,
then pushed her over the edge into the river.

William Stafford was born in Kansas, the eldest of  three children. His father took him hunting and taught him trapping. By the time William was in his mid-teens, the Great Depression was forcing his family to move from town to town as his father searched for work. William helped out by delivering papers, working in sugar beet fields, raising vegetables, and as an electrician’s mate.

Continue reading →

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Official U.S. State Cats: MAINE

Posted on July 7, 2016 by wordcloud9

In 1985, the state of Maine recognized the obvious and outstanding choice for its Official State Cat: the Maine Coon Cat.

MaineCoonSilverTabby

This state seems to love all kinds of cats: more than 46% of Maine households have cats.

Maine Coon Cats are the only breed developed in the United States, from a mixture of natural North American cats and long-haired foreign breeds. Their name probably comes from their big bushy tails, which are often ringed, and can be as long as 14 inches!

These cats are tall, muscular, and big-boned. Their long thick water-resistant triple coats, long bushy tails, heavily furred ears, and big round tufted feet are perfect for Maine’s harsh winters. They weigh between 10 and 25 pounds. It takes between 3 to 5 years for Maine Coons to reach their full size.

Maine Coon Cats have above average intelligence. They are affectionate with their families, but very independent, and cautious around strangers. They have large eyes and ears, which are often topped by black tufts, and they can be chatterboxes – they make a distinctive chirping trill, in addition to more typical cat noises, but they are much softer-voiced than that more famous feline talker, the Siamese.

Main Coon Tabby with ear tufts

Most Maine Coon Cat breeders believe they are a mix of native domestic shorthairs and foreign longhairs – either Angora types introduced by New England seamen, or even longhairs brought  by Norsemen. But there’s a legend that the original Angoras belonged to Marie Antoinette – they supposedly made it aboard her escape ship and came to America, while she wound up going to the guillotine!

maine-coon-kittens

There are more U.S. states that have Official State Dogs, but now 4 states have State Cats, and in 1982 Florida named the Florida Panther as an Official State Mammal to help protect this endangered Big Cat.

Sources

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Official U.S. State Dogs: MARYLAND

Posted on July 7, 2016 by wordcloud9

In 1964, Maryland became the first state to designate an Official State Dog, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever - 2

One the few breeds actually developed in the United States, its early history is more legend than fact. There’s a tale told of two young Newfoundland-type dogs, survivors of an English vessel shipwrecked off the coast of Maryland in the early 1800s, which were supposedly bred to local coonhounds. Their offspring were said to be the progenitors of the present-day Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary, a semi-enclosed coastal body of water with a free connection to the open sea, in North America. In additional to numerous fish and other wildlife, the Bay supports large winter populations of migratory waterfowl.

This handsome retriever is a working dog, bred to recover waterfowl for hunters. The American Kennel Club registered its first Chesapeake Bay Retriever in 1878. By then, a definite type had evolved with characteristics suited to the often rigorous duck hunting conditions around Chesapeake Bay.  ‘Chessies’ are intelligent with powerful bodies weighing between 55 and 89 pounds, with strong jaws and eyes of a clear yellow or amber. Their double coats, with a coarse, wavy outer coat and a fine woolly undercoat containing lots of natural oils, protect them from icy waters. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers may be brown, sedge, or deadgrass, colors which blend with their hunting environment.

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers - 1

Famed for their versatility, endurance, and loyal devotion, they excel in field and obedience trials. As service dogs, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are found working with drug enforcement agencies, and visiting hospitals and nursing homes. They have been trained for search and rescue work, explosive detection and even as avalanche or sled dogs.

“Chessies” are very sturdy, independent dogs, able to work hours in freezing wetland conditions, even breaking through ice to retrieve prey. While they resemble the friendly Labrador Retriever, they are much more stand-offish with strangers, and deeply bond with their handler or family.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever pups

Sources

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ON THIS DAY: July 7, 2016

Posted on July 7, 2016 by wordcloud9

July 7th is:

Chocolate Day!!!

Strawberry Sundae Day

Ice_cream_sundaes

Tell the Truth Day

Global Forgiveness Day

National Holidays Around the World

Belarus – 2nd day of Kupalleinternational Flags

Indonesia – Idul Fitri Day

Japan –  Tanabata/Star Festival

Malaysia – Georgetown
…………….. World Heritage City Day

Solomon Islands –  Independence Day

Tanzania – Saba Saba

Ukraine – Kupala Night

Zambia – Unity Day

On This Day in HISTORY

1456 – Joan d’Arc is retried, acquitted of heresy – 25 years after her death

1753 – Act of Parliament to establish the British Museum

1863 – First U.S. military draft – exemptions can be bought for $300

1907 – The first Ziegfeld Follies opens

1911 – US-Great Britain-Japan-Russia North Pacific Fur Seal Convention bans open-water seal hunting, 1st international treaty for wildlife preservation

1928 – Chillicothe Baking Company of Missouri sells first sliced bread

1930 – Construction begins on Hoover Dam

1940 – Richard Starkey, future Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, is born

1954 – WHBQ Memphis is first radio station to play Elvis Presley – ‘That’s All Right’

ELVIS-PRESLEY-with dog

1981 – Sandra Day O’Connor nominated to be first woman on U.S. Supreme Court

2000 – J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire goes on sale

Photo of Elvis Presley with Sweet Pea – 1956 (AP Photo/Gene Herrick)
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Official U.S. State Dogs: LOUISIANA

Posted on July 6, 2016 by wordcloud9

In 1979, the Catahoula Cur got a name change to the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog when it became the Official State Dog of Louisiana.

 

Catahoula Leopard Dog 1

It has been alternately known as the Catahoula Hog Dog because of its traditional use in tracking wild boar. Catahoulas have been used to track everything from squirrel and raccoons to mountain lion and black bear. They usually track silently, beginning their distinctive baying only when eye to eye with the prey.

The Catahoula has also been used for herding cattle and hogs, and is designated by the American Kennel Club as a “herding dog” breed. Named for a Choctaw Indian word meaning “sacred lake,” the Catahoula originated in northern Louisiana near Catahoula Lake. This dog is a “jambalaya” of Native American dogs, Bloodhounds, and the Spanish Mastiffs and Greyhounds brought by Spanish explorers.

Catahoula breed characteristics include webbed feet for working marshy ground, and sometimes eyes of different colors or “cracked” eyes – two colors in the same eye.

Catahoula cracked eye

The single coat is short-to-medium in length lying close to the body, with texture ranging from smooth to coarse. The breed is found in numerous coat colors and patterns, including merle and brindle, but most have patches of the leopard pattern in one or more colors contrasting with a base color. Weight ranges from 35 to 80 pounds.

Catahoula Leopard Dog 2

The Catahoula Leopard Dog has been recorded in the AKC Foundation Stock Service since 1996.

Catahoula puppies

Sources

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Official U.S. State Dogs: GEORGIA

Posted on July 6, 2016 by wordcloud9

This year, Georgia joined the growing list of states with an official State Dog, but their choice was not a particular breed, as most previous states have chosen. Instead, they chose ‘Adoptable Dogs’ as the official State Dog.

 dog-in-shelters 1

The bill was approved last March by a 30-14 vote in the state senate. The sponsors hope that it will encourage more people to adopt dogs from shelters. They also wanted to show appreciation to the many animal shelters around the state and their hard-working staffs.

The bill was not passed without controversy.  Earlier in the legislative session, some lawmakers were promoting the English Bulldog, long a mascot of the University of Georgia’s sports teams, as the official state dog, but that effort failed to gain momentum.

Senator Bill Heath of Bremen called having a dog of an unknown breed as the official state canine a “disgrace.” Senator Ellis Black of Valdosta said, “You’re going to have people who are going to use this against the state of Georgia.”

dogs in shleters 2

The law defines an “adoptable dog” as any dog in the custody of an animal shelter, humane society, or public or private animal refuge that is available for adoption by the general public.

Part of the law also recognizes a study by the National Council on Pet Population. That study says most animals taken into shelters are euthanized and thousands of dogs and cats are currently available to be adopted in Georgia animal shelters. It also calls for pets to be spayed and neutered to help reduce the animals euthanized every year.

dog in shelter 3

The new law says the State of Georgia will promote animal rescue, adoption, and being a responsible pet owner.

The bill was signed into law by Governor Nathan Deal in April, 2016. It may not make all the people of Georgia happy, but it could cause much joy in the hearts of some Georgia shelter dogs and their new families.

Sources

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ON THIS DAY: July 6, 2016

Posted on July 6, 2016 by wordcloud9

July 6th is:Air Traffic Control tower

National Fried Chicken Day

National Air Traffic Control Day

International Kissing Day

  • Belated News – July 2 was the final day of the ……………………..                            Wife Carrying World Championship in Sonkajärvi, Finland

National Holidays Around the World

This year, July 6 is Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan,
in many countriesaround the world

Belarus – First Day of Kupalle

Comoros Islands – Independence Dayinternational Flags

Czech Republic – Jan Hus Day

India – Rath Yatra

Kazakstan – Day of the Capital

Lithuania – King Mindaugas’ Coronation Day

Malawi – Independence Day

Peru – Teacher’s Day

Sweden – National Day

Zambia – Heroes Day

On This Day in HISTORY

1348 – Pope Clement VI’s papal bull declares Jews didn’t cause the Black Death

1483 – Richard III is crowned King of Englandcoin washington cent2

1785 – Congress designates “dollar” and decimal coinage as U.S. currency

1885 – Louis Pasteur successfully tests anti-rabies vaccine

1893 – Pinkerton agents fight steelworkers in Homestead Strike, leaving 10 dead

1917 – T.E. Lawrence and Auda ibu Tayi lead Arab forces to capture Aqaba

1935 – Tenzin Gyatso, future 14th Dalai Lama, is born

1947 – The AK-47 goes into production in the Soviet Union

1964 – The Beatles’ film, A Hard Day’s Night, premieres in London

1970 – California passes first “no fault” divorce law

1983 – U.S. Supreme Court rules retirement plans can’t pay women less

Posted in On This Day, Rock and Roll | 3 Comments

The Coffee Shop – Eric and Peety (video)

Posted on July 6, 2016 by Joy of Fishes

The Coffee Shop is an open thread-style discussion forum for human interest news of the day.

From Mutual Rescue, a love story:

Coffee cup

This is an Open Thread. Grab your cup, pull up a chair, sit a spell and share what’s on your mind today.

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