Wolves Gunned in Idaho

In Idaho the wolves are running again.

With an open season of wolf hunting upon them, they are being slaughtered from the air as you read these words. The quota for the state is 220. All ready 110 wolves have been killed, but apparently some believe wolves aren’t being killed fast enough. The season was to end December 31st. Now due to the brilliance of  Idaho’s Fish and Game Commission, they have decided to extend the open season until March 31, 2010.

The propaganda surrounds the health of the elk herds. The Game Commission wants everyone to believe that the elk are being harmed by the wolves. They still will not admit that human hunters do more harm than the canines. Humans take the strong where as the wolves take the weak and the dying.

This aerial assault on the wolves in the lower 48 states is appalling. It has begun and will be continuing into the spring. By then most likely, more than 220 wolves will be slaughtered. Since the state supports the practice, I’m sure they will never investigate if the quota has been violated. They will probably be glad. **

 You can help save the wolves by contacting www.defendersofwildlife.com

Rihanna & Lady Gaga Tie For Outrageousness

Not only did Adam Lambert top the bizarre charts with his outrageous musical performance last night at the American Music Awards, a few other “singers” deserve a mention.

Let’s start with Rihanna. This poor girl needs a little more help in the feel- better-category. Her mad house tribute certainly told the tale of a woman mixed up beyond belief. Having been a victim of abuse, she definitely has a long and winding road ahead. Figuring out why and how abuse happens to you is not a frivolous topic, nor is it something to be glossed over or ignored. Her performance on the American Music Awards solidified her journey. I’ve never been a fan of Rihanna, and won’t likely start now considering her “singing” doesn’t even sound like the verb, and her visuals left me running for the door. But having said that, if you like her sound and her troubled interpretations, enjoy.

And then there was Lady Gaga. I have heard that she has a really good voice, so I was ready and willing to listen. I watched past the weird, unbecoming outfits and her breaking of glass, to see her finally get to her piano. Once there she slammed numerous wine bottles against the keyboard, and when that happened  I actually heard what sounded like  a woman with a decent voice. That sound didn’t last, and I kept asking myself, what is with all the glass breaking and the piano catching fire? I mean really, was that necessary? Perhaps the words of the song made the whole theatrics plausible, but honestly who keeps listening when you’re afraid the whole set may go up in flames? She may have a good voice but it is overshadowed by outrageous and ridiculous events.

Oh well, I guess it was just another night at the AMA’s. Most outrageous winner…..probably still Lambert.

Lambert Blew It

Adam Lambert just blew it. His appearance on the American Music Awards will be remembered as a tawdry, risqué disappointment, and not the hopeful new talent that sprang from American Idol.

Not only did he imply various sexual acts during the song, his physical displays left a bad taste. The crouch groping, butt holding, and tongue dances are what I will take away from tonight’s show. Let’s hope most of the kids who watched him grow and succeed on American Idol had already gone to bed. If they didn’t they will not only be talking about Lambert’s performance tomorrow, they will probably start acting it out in the hallways, and that won’t be pretty.

It’s a shame Lambert went this direction with his debut album. He has so much talent that tonight’s performance was a waste on more than one level.

Lambert was one of my favorites. Now his album won’t be on my wish list. Seems like he has too many wishes he wants to grant himself.

Why Are We Up In Arms Over New Mammogram Rules?

Everyone is up in arms regarding the government’s new guidelines regarding mammograms for women. The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force is recommending that women should have their first mammogram done at the age of 50, and then repeat it once every two years.

The American Cancer Society says that women should get their first mammogram when they are 40 and then continue yearly until the age of 75.

Apparently there are many women up-in-arms over these new guidelines. The question is why? Why are we so alarmed about a new idea on this matter? Every month research and science are coming up with new levels or statistics or “facts” about one medical condition or another.

A recent European study has now deemed that men should only have prostate exams once every four years along with a PSA test. The American Cancer Society recommends men get yearly testing once they are over 50 years old.

There is no reason women have to be alarmed by the new standard being offered for mammograms. If they want a yearly test they can get one. If they have cancer concerns before they reach 50, the test is still available. Yes, women have been saved by mammograms. They have also been scared by false positive readings or misreadings. Some women have also undergone cancer treatment because they have been diagnosed as having breast cancer when they do not.

In my own family my great-aunt had her yearly mammogram, which was negative. A month later she felt a lump in her breast. It was diagnosed as cancerous. She had treatment and it was caught in time, but no thanks to the mammogram.

Every woman has a different idea about what is right for them. If you believe in mammograms you will continue to have them because you deem it necessary. If you don’t believe in them, you may listen to the new guidelines  and evaluate if you think this is a good measure of action for you.

Either way, we have to decide what is best for us individually, new guidelines or not.

My Kitten-Saved (feral cat journal #54)

BEFORE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So here are some pictures of my little guy who once lived outside under the bushes and then my carport.

How I wish I could have saved all the kittens that day.

This is for all of you who have rescued, saved, adopted, loved and cared for some creature other than yourself.

 Our world is a better place with you in it.

AFTER

All photos on this page are property of  and copyright 2009 EnvisionHope

Cat Comes Down With H1N1 Virus

Wow. Just read that the first domestic cat has been diagnosed with the H1N1 virus. It appears that the cat got the virus from a family member who had come down with the strain. Since the cat is basically an indoor pet with little to no contact with other animals, it does seem plausible that the cat got the bug from his human cohorts.

So, it looks like no one is safe from the H1N1 virus. The talk focused on pigs so much everyone thought that pigs were the death of everyone else because they project the virus onward.

Looks like the pig has just been spared the title of most affected animal. I’m sure now we will hear all kinds of stories about other animals getting this flu. But when you think about it, we are all mammals. We have similar requirements and needs, and we humans are really nothing but an animal with an attitude.

Keep your pets safe and if you get sick, isolate yourself from your little companions. I’m not sure how this will be possible considering pets rely on us for their care, but having said that, hopefully we won’t have an animal epidemic too. I don’t think the media will be able to stand themselves if we do.

New Kitten (fereral cat journal #53)

Well, the rescued kitten is growing big. He has been neutered and vaccinated and is always on the move.

There is nothing he doesn’t find. Or see. Or hear. It amazes me what he comes up with to do like chewing through headset cords and drapery pulls. He has learned how to jump up on high places. I will admit I don’t care for this part too much. Friends keep telling me I’ll get used to it. They must be right because now when L jumps up on the kitchen table (which I hate), I don’t scream as loudly. Sometimes I even just ignore it and let him jump down on his own.

He and the dog still wrestle, but not as often. The dog doesn’t like his claws, and has become braver in telling him to stop rough-housing. But thankfully they still join in a game or two a day, and chase each other around the room like stallions on the plains.

L’s coat is darkening some. What was pure white now has shades of brown and his face markings are more pronounced. I can hardly wait to see how he will turn out. We are at his 6 month birthday all ready.

Man how times flies……

 

See “Fresh From the Womb” for pictures. L is the little white one.

Soup Spoon

Come into the kitchen

see my favorite trick                                                    

eating from the soup bowl

high upon the niche.

I wave to you with tail thumps

I’m happy as a toddler reaching for the sun

and though you scowl and pout at me

my chicken noodle kisses will fix whatever’s wrong.

**

 

                              photo courtesy of: www.freedigitalphotos.net

Letterman Mans Up

David Letterman is a brave man. By facing his blackmailer he has stated that he will not be bullied by someone with an ax to grind when his own life is falling apart.

David took a chance by airing his affairs in public. He looked us straight in the eye and told us what he had done and why he was talking about it. There is a lot to be admired for that stance. So often everyone is running from the truth. They hide and cast blame in someone’s direction in order to divert the attention away from their mistakes.

Dave tackled his blackmailer and us with a dose of owning his misgivings. You may not like Letterman, but you have to admit it was a gutsy thing to do, and not many of us today have that many guts.

Legs of My Soul

I feel empty today

disconnected from the world

Lost in second thoughts

Lost in memories of those gone to me forever

and for things I will never have.

A monarch plays in the neighbor’s coxcombs

fluttering

sucking,

seeking nectar for the flight of its life

I envy its purpose

its journey

for I see no future today

only the struggles

and missed opportunities,

the tears and

the legs of my soul

which are asleep and tender.

                                                           **

 

                                                    copyright 2009 EnvisionHope