Winthrop Lake At Dusk

I didn't plan to take pictures when Saeed and I went to Winthrop Lake recently to commune with nature. The sun had already slipped behind the tallest trees and the remaining light was muted. But as we drove around I saw this heron standing in the middle of the lake and stepped out of the car for a closer look. I named the water-walker 'Jesus' but knew it had to be standing on something. The enlarged photograph clearly shows two man-made objects fixed in the water.

Jesus is thus revealed as a scam artist.

Once the camera was out of the case I had to record the beauty, poor lighting or not.

This walkway leads into the 'Wetlands Sanctuary' area.

Looks like an "opposite" plant: pink stems and green berries.

Such intense coloration.

The mature berries do become pink like the stems.

Nearby a frothy, feathery plant exhibits the same colors.

It was kind of wierd looking; bright green and dark pink haphazardly spurting out in no particular pattern.

Yet a different plant with bright magenta berries. I always think of fall colors as being red, orange, brown and yellow, but intense dark pinks and magentas obviously need to be added to my mental autumn palette.

Ahh... beautiful goldenrod.

I think Mr. Goldenrod has some unwanted friends.

You know how I love taking pictures of bees. Well these bees were clinging to the goldenrod for dear life. It was really windy. But then I realized that the bees weren't moving; they were clutching the stems in a true death grip. I can't blame them... the goldenrods are a beautiful final resting place. I will miss the bees till I meet up with their children next spring... the cycle of life is at once sad and incredibly magnificent.

Fabulous Frosty

I found these cute pictures of Frosty Paws and wanted to share with you the beauty of a sleepy kitty. I tried to title this post "Gentle Giant" but found that I was writing things about him that were inconsistent with that title. Admittedly he deserves respect and caution, but he is such a sweet, sweet boy under the right circumstances. He needs lots of love and affection every single day or he cries till he gets it.

What a beautiful little boy.

Like a sleepy little powder puff. It's when he's like this that I move in for the schmoozle.

You May Catch Fire During Surgery

So in addition to learning this week that cattle are fed floor waste as 10 to 30% of their diet I've learned that it is possible to catch fire during surgery. Actually I knew of this possibility but recently learned that it happens more often than I realized. Perhaps this statement needs to be added to our pre-op consent forms in the office? Who'da thunk it?!?

None of the doctors I work with ever had a patient catch on fire during surgery but then they operate on the lower half of the body; most surgical fires occur during surgeries on the head and neck due to the proximity of the oxygen and the surgical tools. Apparently it happens about 600 times a year.

Next time I have surgery I'm bringing my own fire extinguisher.

A Billion Acts Of Green

I invite you to join the Earth Day Network, a site that asks you to enter any action you have taken to better the earth. Things like going vegetarian, planting a tree, recycling, or changing your light bulbs to fluorescent count. You will be counted as a member of The Green Generation; they are trying to get a billion people signed up so they can activate them for Earth Day 2010 (I'm not sure exactly what that means, but I know I want to be "activated.") Click here to go to the site.

Icky, Icky, Icky

Would it shock you to know that feedlot cattle are fed chicken waste? I thought it might be another one of those outlandish stories spread by animal activists (like me!) until I read the article linked in the paragraph below. Cattle in feedlots across the United States are routinely fed waste from the floors of commercial chicken houses. In fact, 1 billion pounds of feces, feathers, spilled feed, straw, dirt and anything else on the floor under the cramped birds goes into the food mix each year in feedlots across America. This means 10 to 30 percent of their diet is often made up of floor waste. That's sickening.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, processed feathers and feces are considered an acceptable source of protein in cattle feed. Additionally, chickens are fed meat and bone meal from cattle, which in turn increases the risk of infecting cattle with mad cow disease when the cycle revolves and the cattle are fed chicken wastes. Hmmm... I wonder what else the FDA thinks is safe for us to eat?

Regardless of your dietary choices, no one (animals included) should have to eat floor waste. It's disgusting, unsafe and inhumane.

Mother Cats Nurse Bunny and Squirrel Babies

Awwwwww!

What's Your Organic Food IQ?

This is a quiz. You probably know most of it, can figure out some by pure logic, and is otherwise a learning experience. May I mention that I got a perfect score of 10? Of course I would never post a quiz that I did poorly on, would I?!

What's Your Organic Food IQ?

New Washing Machine

Despite Saeed and Cyrus' best efforts the washing machine could not be fixed. It was old anyway so it was time to replace it.

Last weekend... remember?

This weekend... a new machine!
You also see a new rug. The problem with the old machine was water leaking all over the floor, therefore the new rug.

So, this post was supposed to be about our new washing machine. As most things do, however, it has transmogrified into a post about our kitties. Since I haven't been able to do the wash since before I went to Illinois, I have piles and baskets of dirty laundry lined up which makes all the little four-hoofied critters very happy.

Below you see the sheets from Shirin and Gabriel's bed waiting for their turn. Obi settled in first and soon thereafter Tippy joined him. What is the attraction of a pile of sheets on the table when there are couches and kitty beds everwhere?

Ah of course, Chappu has to come check it out.

Tippy is so fast asleep she doesn't even open one eye as Chappu approaches.

She nuzzles Obi...

... who licks her head. Awwww.

As Chappu is deciding whether to stay, Obi is wondering if he is going to be the middle of a kitty sandwich.

Chappu leaves and Obi settles back down.

Finally, Obi has his nest to himself.

I will leave this pile last in the washing queue.

Obi Risks A Trip To The Dry Cleaners

Saeed had better check the contents of this basket before it's taken to the dry cleaners.

Breast Cancer Prevention Tips

It is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To all the women (and men since they can get breast cancer too) in my life I'd like to pass on Dr. Weil's seven nutrition tips:

Diet and nutrition can play a significant role in the chances of developing breast cancer, especially if you have a family history of the disease. The following dietary practices may help to prevent or lessen the risks - I encourage all women to give them a try:

1. Keep your fat content low. Below 25 percent of your daily calories is ideal.
2. Avoid animal fats, polyunsaturated fats (many vegetable oils), and hydrogenated oils (margarines and vegetable shortenings) - all can increase cancer risks.
3. Use healthy fats: monounsaturates such as extra virgin olive oil, freshly ground flaxseed and oily fish such as wild Alaskan salmon and sardines (which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids) may reduce your risk of breast cancer.
4. Include whole soy products in your diet. Soy foods contain many cancer-protective substances, including isoflavones. Try to eat one to two servings of whole soy-based foods a day.
5. Avoid alcohol. Even in modest amounts, alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
6. Minimize your consumption of conventionally raised meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products. Replace with organic, hormone-free versions and use sparingly.
7. Eat more fruits and vegetables! They contain many different cancer-protective phytonutrients.