January 6, 2016

Cardinals aren't supposed to be able to do this, Marta got the photo and crows about it

Close up at the bottom with black oil seed in his mouth.

OS

http://blog.duncraft.com/2010/01/21/how-to-attract-cardinals-to-your-yard/

Other facts you should know about cardinals

Cardinals are big birds that can’t cling to mesh feeders, and sometimes avoid feeders with small perches. They won’t use a feeder that sways in the wind or one that they have to balance on. Because they usually prefer eating from the ground, a ground platform feeder, such as the Ground Feeder with a Roof is perfect for them. The roof is nice because it keeps rain and snow off the food.

December 29, 2015

Today's snow storm bird and critter pix

The Christmas Eve storm pix are here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027472788


This storm wasn't as bad as the one on Christmas Eve. So we could put food on the ground as well as in the feeders. The third photo down is a Red-bellied Woodpecker with bread in HER beak: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-bellied_Woodpecker/id

In the second photo down you can clearly see the heater that keeps the bird bath heated so it doesn't freeze.

OS

December 24, 2015

Because of the heavy snow I'm cleaning the bird feeders every 15 mins a couple photos (update x 2)

Newest photos on the top. The top photo was an oops. It is 2/3 of our Loch Ness yard decoration and the decorative mushroom feeder if you look close along the top of the fence. That is the view we have of the forest from our family room: http://www.fontenelleforest.org/

The second third and fourth photos are taken from our dinning room.

The snow is stopped and we are heading out. It will be several hours before I can reply to any questions.

OS








About an hour ago. I'll have some more later.

December 20, 2015

Merry Christmas DU from Christmas past

This is from 1990, long before I had dementia.

I have another TV interview taken at the Crossroads Mall in the same time frame. if I can find it in time I'll post it too.

People would call the malls I worked at to make sure they came during my shift. When I stopped the 3 malls all got numerous complaints.

You will see I have worked with special children & abused animals for decades.

To the friends I have lost on the DU, I hope some of you understand dementia has a lot to do with it.

To better times with warmest regards,

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year.

Steve & Marta.

December 1, 2015

Old woman & squirrel photo :-) (update full story in replies!)

Thanks to my friends for the full story below.

OS

https://www.facebook.com/bonnieblossman/photos/a.607773652624249.1073741825.155191754549110/769547496446863/?type=3

November 26, 2015

The phone rang early this morning...somebody special needed me!

I have O positive virus negative blood. They never tell you who needs it. I just know because I'm virus negative it is reserved for somebody special. See below.

OS

http://thebloodconnection.org/products-services/donor-services/baby-donors/




Baby Donors

What is a Baby Donor?
You may have heard someone say “I’m a baby donor” or “I donate for the babies.” What does that mean? It means they are CMV negative – the person has not been exposed to the cytomegalovirus, or CMV. This is important because in low birth weight infants, the consequences of such infection may be severe or even fatal.

What is CMV?
CMV (Cytomegalovirus) CMV is a complex flu-like virus that most adults are exposed to at sometime in their lives. It is a double stranded DNA virus belonging to the herpes virus family.

Who gets CMV?
Almost everyone is susceptible to the virus, although males ages 18-26 seem to be the least likely to get it. As with other viruses, once you’ve had them, your body retains the antibodies.

Why is CMV Negative Blood Preferred for Pediatric Transfusions?
CMV can persist in infected donor white cells and is often transmitted by a blood transfusion, but rarely causes disease. However, in the case of low birth weight infants the consequences of such infection may be severe or even fatal. Because the immune systems in these infants are not fully developed, every precaution must be taken to avoid infection. Scientific studies have shown blood lacking this virus (CMV negative blood) is safer for pediatric patients. Therefore, hospitals prefer to use CMV negative pediatric units to ensure the safety of blood transfusions to newborns.

How is Donor Blood Tested for CMV?
The Blood Connection donor blood testing services checks for the presence of CMV antibodies. If no antibodies are present, the donor is deemed CMV negative, and can be a “baby donor.” Donors who have tested negative in the past are re-tested prior to the release of their blood because there is a chance the donor may have been exposed to CMV infection since the last donation.

November 25, 2015

Man Intent on Fixing Toilet Uncovers Centuries-Old Subterranean World Beneath his Basement

http://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/man-intent-fixing-toilet-uncovers-centuries-old-subterranean-world-020299?utm_source=Ancient-Origins+Newsletter&utm_campaign=1df0939355-Top_Trending_Stories_Sep_No3_REAL_23_9_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_2dcd13de15-1df0939355-87943617

15 APRIL, 2015 - 21:54 LIZLEAFLOOR

An Italian man’s dream to open a modest restaurant became an archaeological obsession when he broke ground in order to repair a faulty toilet. The underground world filled with centuries of history he found beneath his building would dominate his life for more than a decade.

In 2000, Luciano Faggiano faced plumbing and sewage issues on the property he had purchased in order to start a trattoria, a casual eating establishment, in Lecce, Italy. Figuring it would be a quick fix, he opted to find and repair the trouble himself, with the help of his two older sons. Digging beneath the building, the family soon discovered a subterranean world, “tracing back before the birth of Jesus: a Messapian tomb, a Roman granary, a Franciscan chapel and even etchings from the Knights Templar. His trattoria instead became a museum, where relics still turn up today,” writes an article in The New York Times.



The ruins and chambers discovered due to the excavations of Luciano Faggiano. Image credit: Map data 2012 Google ©2015 Google

Lecce, and Italy in general, is rich with history. Described as a layered cake of ancient civilizations and empires stacked one atop the other, the history of the area can be found just under its cobblestone and modern paved surfaces. Relics and artifacts are revealed frequently, whether from a farmer’s fields or under a city parking lot. Such discoveries are exciting additions to the shared collection of Italy’s past, but the historical finds also slow or cancel modern construction plans like subway systems or building improvements, causing headaches for city planners and builders.

FULL story at link. Video is not in english but is great to watch.

November 15, 2015

I made the single mom with the special needs son cry at the store today (added mini SB ring photo)

We haven't been to the store in a week and needed some things. I went after breakfast.

Nebraska has no pro football team. The closest team is KC. I'm a life long Packer fan. The year I got my own TV for Christmas I watched the "Ice Bowl" in my room on a small B&W set. (I wanted a mini-bike) http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-films-americas-game/09000d5d821e1541/America-s-Game-The-Ice-Bowl

Today I was wearing a Packer sweatshirt. Several people in the store had Packer shirts on. I talked with all of them including a checker.

I was out the door when I saw a young lad in a Packers jersey coming towards me. I immediately pointed at him and yelled "I love that shirt" His face broke into a huge smile. We high fived. We started talking football.

His mom said because of his medical problems he can't play the game, but he "so loves" the game.

Many years ago I bought a box of Packer wrist bands for some fund raiser. Whenever I see kids in Packer gear I offer them the one I'm wearing as a gift. (I remember some kid that was going into the Obama rally before the 08 caucus going nuts over one of those too.)

I showed my miniature Super Bowl ring on my keyring. I started to make the offer and his mother stopped me. I noticed she was crying. She told her son to go inside and get a basket. I gave him a hug goodbye.

She told me that to most people that don't know him her son in invisible. People will go out of their way to avoid him. Others stare. And it is hard on her being a single mom.

She thanked me and gave me a hug. She wasn't the only one crying by then.

OS

Edit to add the ring photo

November 6, 2015

Making Your Home Dementia Friendly (please keep this kicked for a day or so)

http://www.brightfocus.org/alzheimers/article/making-your-home-dementia-friendly?utm_source=eAlert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ADR_eAlert&sm_guid=MTA2MDU3fDExNTI1ODAzfC0xfHNkYXdlc0Bjb3gubmV0fDUyMzc3M3x8MHwwfDI3MDczMTcyfDgzN3wwfDB80

Kathleen Allen, LCSW, C-ASWCM
Thursday, October 15, 2015



Learn helpful tips, room by room, on how to modify your home to make it safe and friendly for those living with dementia.

As a caregiver for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s, you know the challenges well. One such challenge may be adapting your living space to better accommodate your loved one’s changing needs. This month we thought we would look around the house, room by room, and see how it can be modified to make it more dementia friendly. When your home incorporates the elements of dementia friendly design, your loved one’s risk of falling is reduced, his memory is aided, and he has more freedom to use his own abilities. A good design helps your loved one thrive.

Before going through each room, we will first review some elements of good dementia design.

Good Design Elements Include Lighting, and Color and Contrast

Good lighting and contrasting colors are important elements of dementia friendly design. David McNair of the Dementia Centre describes four elements of good lighting1:

FULL story at link.

October 27, 2015

A mom's post about a Halloween costume is going viral on Facebook. Thank you, Target!

http://www.upworthy.com/a-moms-post-about-a-halloween-costume-is-going-viral-on-facebook-thank-you-target?c=upw1&u=6bacec6889bf05ba106ae00be40328adccb1c8a6

By Laura Willard

Jen Kroll got pretty excited when she saw a recent Target ad.
No, it wasn't because of the "buy one, get one half off" sweater deal. It wasn't even because flannel sheets were 15% off.

Nope, not at all. (Though, flannel sheets do sound nice...)

Here's what made her week: a photo of an Elsa Halloween costume.
The ad meant so much to her that she posted it on Facebook and had this to say:



Do you see what Jen saw? The model sporting the dress worn by Elsa of "Frozen" fame has arm crutches!

Yes, that's a big deal. Especially for Jen because here's a photo of her incredibly cute daughter, who just so happens to love Elsa:


I mean, seriously. Can you even with the adorableness?! Photos by Jen Kroll, used with permission.

FULL wonderful story at link.