Green Tip of the Day

• A typical piece of produce travels 1,500 miles from farm to plate; local strawberries and lettuce - now growing almost everywhere in the United States (try your local farmers market) - require way less gas to get to you.
• Cooking at home saves bucks, so you can maybe splurge on some local wine to go with your meal.
• Local food almost always means fresher food.

10 Poisonous Garden Plants to Avoid with Dogs

The following ten garden plants are poisonous and need to be kept away from our canine friends:

• Bulbs – Amarylis, Daffodil, Elephant Ear, Hyacinth, Iris, Tulip. The bulb is the poisonous part, so beware particularly with those dogs that like to dig.
• Ferns – Asparagus Fern, Emerald Feather, Lace Fern, Plumosa Fern. Many of these can be grown in a hanging pot, just make sure pieces of the plant or its berries do not fall to the floor.
• Flowering Plants – Cyclamen, Hydrangea, Kalanchoe. While the blooms are beautiful the consequences can be deadly.
• Garden Perennials - Charming Dieffenbachia, Christmas Rose, Flamingo Plant, Foxglove, Morning Glory, Nightshade.
• Lillies – Glory Lily. These are not only toxic to dogs, but cats as well.
• Shrubs – Cycads, Heavenly Bamboo, Holly, Jerusalem Cherry, Oleander, Precatory Bean, Rhododendron, Sago Palm, Yucca. Shrubs are one of the deadliest garden plants.
• Succulents – Aloe.
• Trees – Avocado, Buddist Pine, Chinaberry, Japanese Yew, Macadamia Nut, Madagascar Dragon, Schefflera.
• Vines – Branching Ivy, English Ivy, Glacier Ivy, Needlepoint Ivy. The foliage of vines is actually more toxic than the berries.
• Other Plants – American Bittersweet

While it is best to not have these toxic plants in your yard, at the very least they should be fenced in to keep your dog from getting to them.

Thursday Update

Happy Thursday everyone, "Friday' for some who don't have to work on Friday because of the holiday. I am happily one of those people. I will also be getting off work 1-1/2 hours early today, the company let us know yesterday.

Last night we watched Garrison Keillor: The Man on the Radio in the Red Shoes on PBS last night. It was very good.

NESTLÉ^® TOLL HOUSE^®
Refrigerated Cookie Dough Voluntary Recall
(Please see the press release on www.VeryBestBaking.com)
Nestle Baking Division is asking for your support by helping spread the word to your friends and family and remind them that raw cookie dough should not be eaten.

Green Tip of the Day

Green 4th of July

Plastic, ready-to-go plates, cups and utensils are convenient for parties with a lot of guests. The down side, they’re not so convenient for the environment. Do your best to use normal tableware that can just be washed and reused. If you must go the disposable route, clean them up (they’re often washable) and use them at your next big gathering. Also, make sure to recycle your plastics when they’re not usable anymore.

Take advantage of the cooler evening weather and throw your party outdoors. It’s a great way to enjoy nature and reduce the energy costs of using indoor facilities.

Instead of heading to your traditional meat and veggie aisles, consider using locally grown organic food this holiday.

After the party’s over, take the time to store and save your decorations. You or someone you know can use them again next year, which helps to save on a bit of unneeded trash.

If you’re setting off your own fireworks this year, be sure to use fireworks rich in nitrogen. They often cost a bit more but put out less smoke into the environment.

Make sure to grill with propane – it burns the cleanest, which causes less smoke. It can also help to keep a fire going longer, which is obviously a classic grilling goal.

In lieu of individual plastic bottles, store water for your family or guests in large containers so they can re-fill their reusable water bottles or reusable cups. If you must use plastic water bottles, be sure to encourage your guests to recycle them.

Luke as Dachador Dali (wallpaper)

Wednesday Update

Happy Wednesday everyone! It looks like it is going to be another nice day.

Doug fixed our newest mower yesterday. I helped him get the old John Deere mower down from the loft in the garage and he is going to fix it today. We will both be able to mow the yard at the same time if we want to now.

Last night we watched Deadliest Catch and After the Catch. After the Catch was pretty funny when they started showing clips of the show in different languages. I guess they show in 179 countries.

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Racket Smash will give tennis players around the world a place to socialize and call home.

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Take the Pledge



Take a minute to sign the Grow What You Eat pledge and enter to win a 3' x 6' Grow Bed.

Tuesday Update

Happy Tuesday everyone. I love this weather! We were able to hang out in the living room for a change last night. The couch in the Day Kitchen gets a bit uncomfortable after a while.

It looks like next time we go fishing with Thomas he needs to take us to his new spot. He caught a little Northern at Steamboat Rock yesterday.

Yesterday I went to the downtown library grand opening during my last break. They had cookies and reusable book bags. I was given two bags, one purple & one black.

Green Tip of the Day

SUNGLASSES

Find stylish eco-shades made from materials that are better for the planet than the usual suspects. Reclaimed plastic (leftovers from factories that normally get tossed), sustainable wood, and vintage sun specs avert the production of less-green materials (i.e.: new plastic, which comes from oil and never fully biodegrades).

• iWood Sunglasses - seven styles of women's shades with sustainable wood frames (lenses provide UV protection); for the connoisseur - they're pricey ($350).
• Kayu Design Bamboo Sunglasses - light bamboo-framed shades; and for every purchase Kayu sponsors one sight-restoring surgery in a developing country ($180).
• ICU Eyewear - three of its trendy, unisex sunglass styles (including a pair reminiscent of Ray Bans) are made from scrap plastic that would otherwise end up in landfills ($22).
• Blue Planet Eyewear - recycled-plastic sunglasses with UV protection in mostly recycled packaging; 12 styles, including the chic, oversized Luna ($18; also available at many Whole Foods).
• Vintage Sunglasses Shop and Eyeglass Boy - designer vintage sunglasses.

Monday Update

It appears to be another cool morning. This is the weather that I like. We are looking at a short work week, most companies consider the 3rd a paid holiday this year since the 4th is on Saturday. I wonder if Grand Ave is having the block garage sales this weekend. I will have to ask Doug to talk to Johnny about that.

Brain Twitter

“Researchers Use Brain Interface to Post on Twitter”

Green Tip of the Day

Keeping Cool

Houses lose up to 50% of their A/C and heating energy through windows, but tricks such as planting shade trees and window treatments help keep you cool.

Strategically placed shade trees help naturally cool your house, and treatments like window films cut your household energy use by up to 10%. Less A/C = less power = less pollution from power plants. Keeping out heat and UV rays from the sun means you don't have to worry about your furniture or artwork fading.

Try putting adhesive, tinted window films on your windows. Films keep out solar heat and UV radiation while still letting in light (prices vary).

Plant a shade tree. Check Lowe's for advice on the best types of trees to plant for shade (hazelnut trees are a sure bet); and where to plant them for max shade in summer and sun in winter. Bonus: Trees eat up CO2.

Install awnings. Again, check any home improvement store for tons of styles, including metal or fabric; manual or motorized retractable; and window, door, or patio awnings (prices vary).

Energy Star - find federal tax rebates for window treatments.

Sunday Update

We got up early and went fishing at Pine Lake State Park. Doug, Thomas and Mark fished while Diedre, Wanda and I looked on. It was a nice morning and everyone had fun. They were catching small blue gills and there may have been some strikes from the elusive 26 inch bass. Next time we go I need to get my fishing license, so I can cast out as well.

Us girls left the park early and went to Hy Vee to get something for lunch. While waiting for the guys back at the house we got a good look at Diedre's garden and learned that onions around the edge of a garden will keep rabbits out. We had a nice lunch of sandwiches and chips at Thomas and Diedre's (Thanks Wanda). After chatting for a while we drove back home. We got back home a little after 3.

Green Tip of the Day

A simple way to eliminate waste and save money is to make the switch to rechargeable batteries. Even though their initial cost is higher, rechargeable batteries can be recharged hundred of times before they go bad, meaning they could last for years longer than the disposable kind and save you significant cash in the long run. Remember to responsibly recycle dead batteries, both rechargeable and disposable.

Saturday Update

I am up very early for a Saturday. I woke around 4 with a headache and could not get back to sleep. The headache is almost gone now and I will probably go to sleep early tonight. We are planning to visit Thomas and Diedre very early tomorrow morning, so Doug, Mark and Thomas can do some fishing at the lake. Wanda and I will probably stay at the house with Diedre. I don't have a fishing license yet anyway. Maybe on my vacation next month I will get a chance to fish.

I'm not sure what my plans for today are. I will probably go out to the garden and take care of a few things this morning.

bye bye bye played on UKULELE

Last year, college student Julia Nunes bacame an Internet darling when her homemade videos developed a devoted following. The clips were lo-fi and charming—generally featuring nothing more than the adorable Nunes, a messy dorm room and her ukulele—as she sang covers of Kanye West, Weezer, Destiny’s Child and the Beatles. Now Nunes, 20, has gone global: She’s opened for Ben Folds, is currently on tour in England and recently released her second album, I Wrote These (which, yes, she did).

Green Tip of the Day

Green Wedding Invitations

If you're wondering how to pull off your dream celebration without a huge carbon footprint and an empty bank account, refer to this tip to help you work some eco-friendly wedding magic.

Wedding invitations offer the perfect opportunity to send a green message. Twisted Limb Paperworks and Green Field Paper Company sell handmade, recycled paper as well as seed-embedded cards that guests can plant after the ceremony. Set up a wedding Web site to provide paperless maps, hotel suggestions, and event schedules for your guests.

Friday Update

What a day yesterday, two icons lost in the same day. RIP Farrah & Michael.

Doug and I watched Paul Blart: Mall Cop last night. Not a movie I would want to see twice. It was kind of funny in spots but just not that great. We didn't do much else, watched some coverage of the news of Farrah & Michael passing. I watched Charlie's Angels the first year when Farrah was on it, but not much after that. I was never a big Michel Jackson fan, but he did have some hits that I liked.

Farrah Fawcett - February 2, 1947 - June 25, 2009

Away We Go - Trailer

Michael Jackson, 1958-2009

Michael Jackson - Thriller | Music Videos | SPIKE.com

Thursday Update

It is going to be another hot day in the 80's, I prefer the 70's. Yesterday was an uneventful day. I did put the extra tomato cages in the garden where needed. I was driving home Tuesday and saw some tomato cages by the curb in a yard with a sign that said 'free, please take', so I did. The garden is looking good, I should have an excellent crop of cherry tomatoes soon. I love to snack on them.

I guess Thomas is having a good old time fishing this summer. He caught a 16" large mouth last night. He couldn't have been fishing more than about 5 minutes. He called us to tell us he was on his way to fish and about 10 minutes later called to say he had caught the fish.

National Health Care Day of Service

Green Tip of the Day

Getting Rid of Mosquitoes

While you'll likely never be able to spend a warm summer evening outside completely free of mosquitoes, there are some ways to cut down on mosquito populations so your outdoor barbecues are more pleasant.

Mosquitoes and ticks often rest in tall grasses, and such areas are more likely to collect water, which they also find attractive. Therefore, keep grasses short, and eliminate all pools of stagnant water, even the tiniest ones: saucers under plants, garbage cans and lids, spare tires or tire swings, clogged gutters, birdbaths and rain puddles.

Since adult mosquitoes are least active during the day, you can spray a botanical insecticide, such as the Organic Mosquito and Gnat Repellent sold at Planet Natural, on shrubs and the lower limbs of trees while they're at rest. Avoid sprays that contain permethrin (or any related chemicals ending in ­–thrin), often billed as eco-friendly since it's derived from chrysanthemums. However, it can cause asthma attacks, headaches and nausea and interferes with development in aquatic animals.

Since it's difficult to eliminate mosquitoes at their source, protecting yourself is the next best thing.

For more on eco-friendly insect repellents, read Green Guide's "Insect Repellents Buying Guide."

Wednesday Update

We had quite the storm come through last night. The clouds were something else, some moving very quickly. Doug and I stood outside for a while and watched. At times it was like being sand blasted. We even had a rainbow outside after the rain stopped. I was surprised when I first got home, Chloe was out in the street talking with her Dad. I did not even know she was coming to town. I should have remembered she was coming to watch Transformers with Ross. According to her Twitter it was amazing.

Pictures taken after last nights storm.

The Boat That Rocked

National Bomb Pop Day is June 25th

Blue Bunny is giving a coupon for $1 off any one variety of Bomb Pop 12 packs!

Green Tip of the Day

In good weather, you can use natural light to your advantage by opening windows and drawing back curtains, rather than lighting your house 24/7 with lamps and ceiling lights. In hot weather, use heavy curtains or shades to block out the heat and prevent your AC from working overtime.

For those times you do need artificial light, consider using compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. CFLs use 50 to 80 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and can last up to 10 times longer. Just as with rechargeable batteries, CFLs cost more upfront, but a single bulb could save you $40 to $50 in its lifetime.

Tuesday Update

It is very hot! We are keeping as cool as possible in our little closed off section of the house. Last night I got home from work and there were quite a few city sewer trucks and equipment outside of our house. A worker came over and told me we would not have any water for a few hours because a water main broke. I had to wait until after 8:30 to wash the dishes.

The rest of the day was pretty uneventful.

Green Tip of the Day

Fixing Leaks

Leaks can waste a surprisingly high amount of water. Even a slow drip can waste more than 100 gallons of water per week. Plumbers can cost $50 or more per hour, but a medium-size leak can set you back over $100 per month.

15-minute, surefire way to find out if you've got a leak:

• Turn off all the water inside and outside your house, then look for your water meter. If the meter's hand is moving, you've got a leak. If it's not moving, note the position of the meter and recheck it in 10 minutes. If it moved, you've got a slow leak.

For toilets:

• If your toilet sounds like it's running long after you flush or you have to jiggle the handle to get it to stop, it's probably wasting water.
• The dye test: Flush the toilet, then add a teaspoon of food coloring to the tank - don't flush it. After an hour, check the bowl. If you can see any dye, your toilet's leaking.

Monday Update

I believe this is the tornado that Thomas and Diedre saw in the field beside their car while driving back home last night. I received a frantic call from Diedre. She said, "Please get Doug quick, we need him!" When I asked if they were okay and what was happening, she said, "There is a tornado in the field next to us!" They were near Dike.

Needless to say, Thomas was excited that he saw his first close up tornado and Diedre was just plain scared. Evidently, Luke got scared too. He had torn his kennel apart trying to get out. He also chewed apart his blanket that was in the kennel. I guess he hurt one of his legs a little bit, but he is fine.

We had a good Soup Sunday. Lots of yummy chicken wings, regular grilled chicken w/BBQ sauce, Ryans rolls, potato salad, celery and garden radishes that Mark brought. Diedre made the hot sauce for the wings under the direction of Doug. It was a wonderful Father's Day and birthday celebration. Diedre finally got her wings after all of these years (she also almost got a free flight to Kansas as well). I almost forgot, we had Devils food cupcakes with chocolate frosting for dessert.

Tornado Near Dike

Green Tip of the Day

Clean Beaches

Stay healthy by choosing a beach that tests lower for bacteria like E. coli.

Proper disposal of chemicals and litter helps keep your beaches cleaner and animals healthier (plastic waste alone kills 1 million sea birds and 100,000 sea mammals on U.S. coasts each year).

Remember to put garbage in a bin where it won't escape and end up downstream in rivers and oceans, since some animals may mistake it for food.

Use eco-fertilizer and eco-pesticides on your garden and sweep rather than hose down your driveway to avoid sending runoff into storm drains and out to the ocean.

• NRDC and Surfrider - these orgs test beaches for water quality each year - find a clean one near you.
• Ocean Conservancy and Surfrider - volunteer a couple hours of your time to a beach cleanup; they'll provide all the gear you need.

The ocean garbage dump was a topic of conversation at the Soup Sunday table last night.

President Obama on Responsible Fatherhood

Make a Smilebox greeting

Happy Father's Day Doug!

Saturday Update

I'm not sure what today will bring and I am thinking about going to a garage sale I saw advertised. I am also going to do something to the front yard planter. If it gets too hot around here we will probably have to head to the basement to work on cleaning. This evening we are probably going to set up the DVD player in the bedroom where we have air and watch a movie.

New Trailer Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

Green Tip of the Day

Green your pet

When you're looking for a furry friend to bring home, skip the pet stores and breeders and head to the pounds and shelters. The commercial pet trade creates an excess of animals and more mouths to feed, which creates more waste when millions are already in need of adoption. Plus, the business of selling animals can harm critical ecosystems like rainforests, from which 38 million creatures are removed every year for the retail-pet industry. Shelters stock an excellent selection of breeds (and mutts!) that need “recycling” into a new home, and some shelters are even going green.

Friday Update

It is so hot and humid. I hope today goes by quicker than yesterday. It was pretty steady yesterday morning, but we got really slow in the afternoon. In fact, our supervisor let two of us leave 1 hour early. I don't usually do this, but she said we could use vacation time, so I really did not mind.

This weekend I plan to do something with the planter in the front yard, it appears to be over run mostly with weeds and volunteer trees.

“40 Fantastic Sand Sculptures”

Contests you should enter

Enter to win a weekend at Lollapalooza featuring Depeche Mode, Tool, The Killers, Jane's Addiction, Beastie Boys, Kings of Leon, and many many more! Enter HERE.


Enter every weekday in June for a chance to win a Wusthof Wave Knife!

Green Tip of the Day

REUSABLE GIFT WRAP

Think about packaging your presents in materials that the recipient can use again (like cloth) for a less-wasteful version of gift-giving. Wrap small presents in a pretty cotton tea towel or bandana (organic cotton or hemp preferred) so that the "wrap" becomes part of the gift

If your circle of friends and family start doing this, you'll all have to buy a lot less wrap. If every American family wrapped just three gifts in reused or reusable materials, we'd all save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields, every year.

Thurday Update

The week is almost over, yeah! Last night I got home from work and we decided to take Mark & Wanda out to eat. We were not sure where to go at first, but narrowed it down to Genghis Grill or Hamburger Mary's. Genghis Grill was too busy and besides, Mark & Wanda have been to Hamburger Mary's several times with us and never actually ate there.

The burgers, cheesy fries and Mary's Handbag were all very tasty as usual. I don't care much for the potato salad though. A good time was had by all. We even had the kitchen help come out and give us a hard time about making too many dirty dishes (it was all in fun).

When we got home it was very hot and humid in the house, so we put the air conditioner in the bedroom window. It would have been hard sleeping if we had not.

Sign the petition — and watch Rachel Maddow

Sign the petition — and watch Rachel Maddow weigh in.

Tell President Obama and Attorney General Holder to withdraw the DOJ's brief supporting DOMA and apologize for its contents — and watch Rachel Maddow and Howard Dean have an intelligent conversation about the importance of this issue. Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

weigh in.

Green Tip of the Day

POOL COVERS

Pool covers can help reduce the amount of water lost to evaporation by up to 50%.

Covers help keep tykes and critters from accidentally falling in.

Pool covers keep debris out of the pool.

Solar pool covers attract and store heat from the sun's rays to help raise the water temp anywhere from 10-15 degrees and save you up to 70% on heating costs.

Fact: One in five American adults admits that they've peed in a pool. I guess this could help warm the water, but not the preferred way.

Wednesday Update

Yesterday was another mostly busy day at work, it did slow down a bit after 2. After work Doug recharged the air in Puck and tried to recharge the air in Blue. However, Blue was just not taking the charge. Doug said he will need to research it a bit. Then we went to Menards and picked up a few things. We came home, had supper and watched Deadliest Catch and After the Catch.

Green Tip of the Day

Natural insect repellents and remedies are far safer for both humans and the environmental than synthetic pesticides and repellents.

Mother Nature has given certain plants specific aromas to repel harmful insects. In addition to the botanicals listed below, eating garlic or taking garlic supplements helps fight off pesky insects. Whenever you're camping, carry a bee sting kit or homeopathic medicine

Botanical	Uses
Aloe vera (gel)	Soothes stings and burns
Calendula (cream, gel, lotion)	Soothes bites and burns
Cedarwood (essential oil)	Repels houseflies
Chamomile (essential oil)	Relieves bites and stings
Citronella (essential oil)	Repels houseflies and mosquitoes
Eucalyptus (essential oil)	Repels insects, relieves bites
Geranium (essential oil)	Repels houseflies and mosquitoes
Lavender (essential oil)	Soothes stings and burns
Mints, especially peppermint (herbal tea, essential oil)	Repels ants
Pine (essential oil)	Repels fleas, soothes bites
Tea tree (essential oil)	Relieves bites and stings
Note: Only lavender and tea tree oils can be used without dilution. Blend other essential oils with apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, or witch hazel before applying to the skin. TasteForLife.com

Igor Stravinsky's Firebird - Infernal Dance

Igor Stravinsky's Firebird - Infernal dance
Uploaded by bigdpender. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

Tuesday Update

Yesterday was a busy day at work. We were supposed to have a food day. I took in Doug's Reunion Salad, a co-worker brought in a cake and my supervisor brought miniature candy bars. That was the extent of food day. Doug's says it was the most pathetic food day ever, I agree. Everyone loved the Reunion Salad though.

After work we went to Gander Mountain and finally picked up a couple of fishing rods and some gear. Doug can't wait to go fishing with Thomas. I know for certain we will be doing some fishing in July. I am taking a week off for vacation during the week of Chloe's birthday.

Green Tip of the Day

CEILING FANS

Stimulate your pocketbook, air circulation, and energy savings, simply by making sure your ceiling fan is set to run counterclockwise. Most ceiling fans use only about as much power as a 100-watt incandescent bulb. Running your fan counterclockwise in summer directs air downward and creates a breeze; in the winter, running it clockwise will force cold air upward and warm air down to you.

Monday Update

Happy Monday everyone. Today is 'food day' at work, to kick off the downtown food drive. I am taking Doug's famous Reunion Salad.

Yesterday was another fine Sunday. Chloe was here a good share of the day. We always enjoy her visits. She watched 'Mean Girls' while she was here. After supper Chloe, Rawson and Zach watched 'True Blood' (an HBO series about vampires). Chloe has always been interested in vampire shows, since the days of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'.

Doug grilled a huge pork loin, it was delicious. We also had reunion salad, grilled vegetables, and grill pineapple & white nectarines (yummy). Wanda brought her yummy Friendship bread and cereal bars. After supper we had a nice fire and burned a little more of our brush pile. We still have a lot more to burn, but every little fire helps.

Flatmates & Roommates Anonymous

You’ll find complaints involving the rent, bathroom habits, and stolen food. (“I needed that ham! Really needed it. GO SHOPPING.”) There’s a section devoted to the bedroom (most of the complaints involve unwelcome sounds). But the most vicious battles seem to take place in the kitchen, and really — what possible excuse could there be for storing urine in the fridge? The tone of these notes ranges from the sarcastic (“The zoo called — they need you back by 8pm”) to the downright hostile (“I hate you more than life itself”). But the best of the lot combines both approaches: “Your mom is not here!” it reads.


NONFICTION
I Lick My Cheese

Green Tip of the Day

TURNING DOWN THE A/C

Embrace the Summer heat by upping the A/C thermostat by 2 degrees and stripping down to wear as little as possible (depending on who's at the door). You won't notice the difference, but your bank account will. Less A/C use cuts carbon dioxide emissions. Cooling costs hog 12% of all the energy we use.

If 10,000 people turn up their thermostat by 2 degrees this summer, in a year we'll avert the total (that includes everything) annual CO2 emissions of 61 Americans.

Wallpaper (Feel free to use this)

Sunday Update

Yesterday was quite productive for me. I defrosted two refrigerators, washed laundry and dishes, and started cleaning the shelves in the dining room closet. The games and some other things are on the shelves and we did not take care of that in our original cleaning of the closet.

Chloe and Ross came for a visit. Ross watched TV with Doug while Chloe took a nap and they had supper with us before going to Iowa City. After supper Doug and I watch Epic Surge and then went to the patio and Doug lit a fire. We stayed outside until about 10:30.

Iowa Wind Power

Saturday Update

Yesterday was very slow at work, but it was also a fruitful sales day.

After supper we went over our two week menus and wrote up a grocery list. Even though it was raining we decided to go grocery shopping. We find Friday evening shopping to be more relaxing with less people in the stores. We started shopping a little after 8 and did not get home until around 10. We did our usual home scan and then put groceries away.

We watched some TV after the groceries were put away and I did not get to bed until 11:45. Needless to say I was tired. I did not wake up until my phone rang around 7 this morning. Thomas was surprised that he woke me. I'm usually up earlier than him on Saturday. He was making coffee and had already posted some pictures on his blog. The painting in their kitchen is looking very nice. They will have to have Diedre's grandmother over more often.

Green Tip of the Day

Grasscycling

Your lawn produces more valuable resources than you may think. One thousand square feet of bluegrass lawn generates about 200 pounds of clippings annually. About 3/4 of those clippings is water. Instead of tossing them in the trash, use them to help fertilize your lawn. Clippings break down quickly and encourage beneficial microorganisms and earthworms.

• Use a mulching mower, which returns the grass clippings to your lawn
• Use grass clippings in your compost pile
• For the best mulch, be sure to clip your grass at the appropriate height for its type. For example, you should mow Kentucky bluegrass when it is 1.5 to 2.5 inches high and tall Fescue at two to three inches.

• Offer to share your mulching mower with a friend who has a traditional mower
• If you have extra grass clippings from your lawn, share them with others as an effective fertilizer for their yards
• Spread the word! Yard waste makes up 20 percent of materials sent to landfills annually. When you see a neighbor mowing, be sure to share with them the benefits of mulching

DNR Fishing Report

Receive Iowa's Weekly Fishing Report in your email inbox every Thursday!
It's FREE to SUBSCRIBE!

Pixar - Jurrasic fart

Friday Update

This is the yummy Brinner Burrito Doug made for our supper last night. It was one of the best breakfast burritos I have ever tasted. After supper we watched a special on PBS about the 2008 flood in Cedar Rapids.

Have a wonderful Friday everyone.

Obama writes girl a note for missing school

President’s message to teacher: ‘Please excuse absence. She’s with me’

Jewel Samad / AFP - Getty Images

Green Tip of the Day

SAVING WATER AND ENERGY

Try to use appliances like washers and dryers when they're completely loaded to avoid wasting energy and water.

Your clothes washer is going to use the same amount of energy and H2O whether you throw in one pair of jeans or 20; if you run it only when it's filled, you'll conserve more than 3,400 gallons of water per year. Just don't pack in too much or your stuff might not get fully cleaned, and nobody wants to run the washer twice for the same load.

Only running the dishwasher when comfortably packed saves you about $40 a year.

Thursday Update

Not a lot to blog about today. Yesterday was not as busy at work. Calls and sales started out slow and picked up after lunch. It was a long drawn out day. I was going to mow the yard after work, but just did not have it in me by the time I got home. Hopefully the weather will hold out today and we can mow tonight.

Doug did some more arranging in the garage and he has quite the man-cave going out there. TV and chair included.

Watch Cat Disappointed by Own Failure on CollegeHumor

Green Tip of the Day

The original Nintendo Entertainment System sold more than 60 million units. Imagine how many of these are actually still used. When you’re done playing a game or using your electronic deceives, you can donate, recycle or sell them so they don’t end up in a landfill. For example, Goodwill took in 23 million pounds of electronics in 2004.

• Make sure the electronic device still works. If it does, find a Goodwill or Salvation Army location using Earth911.com. You can also sell via Craigslist or Ebay and use the money to purchase a new system.
• Make sure to wipe your hard drive! Before getting rid of electronics, be sure private information isn’t reused as well - Get a professional to help if you’re unsure how to do it.
• If it doesn’t work, make sure to recycle it.

Wednesday Update

The house is empty again. Thomas and Diedre are back home and truly starting their Summer break. Thomas went fishing at the lake and only caught one blue gill and took some nice pictures.

I dislike going back to work, but it is a necessary evil. Tuesday was a good sales day, so not all was lost. Back at home nothing exciting happened. Washed laundry and dishes and watched two episodes of Deadliest Catch.

Photoshop around the corner

Babel Tales

Danish photographer Peter Funch stakes New York City street corners out for two weeks at a time, taking pictures of passersby from the very same spot. But what he does next may be even more labor-intensive.

For his “Babel Tales” photo series, Funch picked dozens of samey pedestrians - smokers, cell phone gabbers, hospital scrubs wearers, yawners - and Photoshopped them into the same frames. In one photo, Times Square shutterbugs turn into a swarm of paparazzi. In another, an ocean of kids seems to wash over the city. Funch has even created a New York where everyone carries flowers. Now, wouldn’t that be a nice city to live in?

Green Tip of the Day

WATER AT RESTAURANTS

Ask your server not to bring water if you're not going to drink it. Many restaurants serve water unnecessarily, so say "no thanks" and help quench your water use, one glass at a time.

For every 8-ounce glass of water not served, we save 1.5 to 3 gallons, since making water drinkable takes water itself (during the treatment process).

When you refuse water (and maybe even explain why...), it might get the restaurant thinking about water conservation in general.

Tuesday Update

I had a very nice vacation. I really hate having to go back to work. I really enjoyed having Thomas here for more than a day. We watched movies & TV together and had a wonderful party for Doug on Friday. Thomas also helped us move some junk from the basement. I am hoping the next time I have vacation time off that we can go visit Thomas & Diedre. It would be real fun to go fishing with him. I haven't done that in years.

Thomas & Diedre are leaving for home this morning. It will be sad to not have them around, but I know they are missing their home. The pets especially have had enough vacation time away from home. Diedre & Thomas won't be home alone for long. Diedre's grandmother informed her yesterday that she is coming for a visit next weekend and plans to help her do some painting. She will stay until next Tuesday.

Green Tip of the Day

Every year, 300 million tires are disposed of in the U.S.

Look into retreading before you replace bald tires. With a smaller amount of resources utilized and the ability to drive away with new tread, this option makes a lot of sense.

Don’t have a huge oak tree in the front yard? No problem - old tires can be used for more than just swings. Line your yard with them and use them to house your flower beds. They are durable and have a great shape.

Most people just leave their old tires at the store where they buy their new ones. Double check with the store and make sure they recycle. If not, take the tire with you and find a recycling location using Earth911.

Taking a trip to a tire yard? Ask your friends and neighbors if they have any tires to recycle so you can take them all in one trip.

Working on a group garden or neighborhood restoration project? Bring up the idea of using old tires for planters, garden liners and shredded rubber for soft playground landings.

Do a mini-inspection while gassing up. Check the tire pressure and give the the tires a fill if needed. Properly inflated tires help them wear evenly and last longer.

Sunday Update

Yesterday was another great day. Thomas brought Luke over in the morning and we had him until about 8 PM. He was a very good dog. I took him for a walk and played with him with his rubber bone. He really likes it when you make a growling sound and shake it. It think I got quite the workout as well. Amber and Wanda stopped by to see Luke, he was very good while they were here. We made plans for them to come back later in the evening to watch a movie.

Chloe also stopped by for a while. She left around 4:30 and stopped at Laura's grad party before heading back to Waterloo. She had to work at 7.

Doug and I went to Laura's grad party for a little while. I had 2 Walking Tacos (beef & chicken), they were very tasty. They also had mints that melted in your mouth. It was fun seeing old pictures of Diedre and her sister.

Shortly after we got back home Thomas came to take Luke back to Diedre's parents house. Wanda and Amber came over to watch Milk with us and Thomas got back in time to watch with us as well. It was a good movie, but rather long.

Dead Snow is the best low-budget zombie flick seen in ages. A surprise audience hit at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, Dead Snow (in theaters 6/19) follows eight medical students who take to the mountains for their Easter vacation and come up against a gang of undead Nazis. Director Tommy Wirkola doesn’t shy away from gore (this film is not for the faint-of-stomach), and the whitewashed terrain adds another layer of creepiness.

Green Tip of the Day

Uses for old pillows

Pillows are rather a bulky product and often filled with synthetic fibers such as polyester. Based on changing a pillow once a year, hundreds of millions of pillows would head to landfill in the USA alone each year.

- Use the stuffing to make a new soft pillow firm (might save a few bucks)

- Your local animal shelter may be able to use them (check with the shelter first)

- Keep to one side as packing material for your next move

- Use as stuffing in toys

- Use as stuffing in throw cushions

- Stitch the sides and ends together of multiple synthetic fiber fill pillows to make a quilt. Put a nice cover on it of course.

Saturday Update

Yesterday was an excellent day. First of all I did not have to work. In the morning I made a trip to Hy Vee and to the Salvation Army for another donation. Thomas showed up shortly after I got back home. We watched Apollo 13 with him while we got things ready for Doug's birthday party. It was a very busy afternoon, but well worth it.

We ended up having just about every kind of grilling meat you can think of (except steak). We had hot dogs (regular & vegetarian), brats, hamburgers (regular & vegetarian), pork steak, kebabs with chicken, onions, peppers, mushrooms and shrimp. Grilled vegetables and mushrooms. Baked pork & beans and vegetarian baked beans, broccoli & cauliflower salad, potato salad, black bean & corn dip w/tortilla chips, melon and triple chocolate cupcakes w/triple chocolate chip frosting. It was quite the feast.

We had the usual suspects (minus Jacob), plus Thomas, Diedre, Chloe, Ross, Amber, Matt, Gayla, Curtis, Byrn and a few surprise visitors; Justin, Jamie, Dan & Gail. A wonderful time was had by all.

Problem Solving Crow

Problem Solving Crow - A funny movie is a click away

Obama's FULL Cairo speech

Part 1:

Part2:

Part 3:

Part 4:

Part 5:

Part 6:

Barack Obama and the king's bling

Friday Update

Yesterday was a very productive day. We cleaned out the dining room closet and the coat/linen closet. We freed up a lot of space and I think by the end of the month we will have this entire house cleared of junk we just don't need. We are probably still keeping some things that we don't need, but there is a lot less of it now.

Today is Doug's birthday.

Happy Birthday Doug!!

Later we will seeing the kids and friends for a birthday barbeque. I have lots to do and have found myself sleeping in again. I need to go to the grocery store and Goodwill. When I get back home I am making potato salad and a cake. I'll see everyone later.

Happy Birthday Honey!

A Deadly Diet

This tube contains pieces of plastic that were found inside the stomach of a dead Laysan albatross—everyday things like a toothbrush and bottle caps that end up in the ocean where they’re eaten by seabirds.

Explore the tube’s contents

Thursday Update

I am so glad I did not have to go to work today. I woke up with a horrible headache. Luckily I was able to take aspirin and go back to bed. I slept in until almost 7, I hardly ever do that.

Today will we will be busy cleaning out the dining room closet and possibly getting to the basement for more cleaning.

Green Tip of the Day


Don't trash your leftover paper! Recycle it yourself at home. Photo: Directnews.co.uk

So you’ve heard a thousand times that you can put leftover paper into the recycling bin, but did you know that you can recycle paper yourself? It can be newspaper, left over bits of construction paper, notebook paper or printer paper. Regardless, you can turn this paper into something new. Ecokids tells you how to make your own recycled paper.

Wednesday Update

Today is my Friday, yeah!

Thomas and Diedre are finished with their first year of teaching. Now they just have two days of staff meetings to wrap up the year. Wow, that year went quickly.

Last night we spent cleaning our bedroom, including the closet. With such a small bedroom, it tends to get cluttered quickly. We really need a walk-in closet (which we will have when we convert the day kitchen to our master bedroom).

Cryptic Canvas Game

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Empire magazine has created the "Cryptic Canvas" - a rebus-filled illustration that features 50 movie titles hiding in plain sight. How many can you locate?

Green Tip of the Day

The next time you're craving a brew, ask what's on tap. Beer from a keg has a lighter impact than beer in bottles or cans.

Tuesday Update

I have been corrected. Thomas and Diedre will be coming home on Friday, not Thursday. They have a teachers party to attend on Thursday night.

I guess poor Luke was frightened by a very loud thunder storm yesterday and made a bit of a mess in the house. He also managed to wiggle his way through the small cat door into the basement. I wish that would have been caught on camera, it would have made a great YouTube video.

Green Tip of the Day

Fishing Gear

Go fish...with eco fishing equipment made with safe materials instead of stuff like lead. Next week is National Fishing Week.

Opt for eco-friendlier poles and line made from bamboo, steel, and plant-based polymers (instead of petroleum-based synthetic graphite, poisonous lead, and nonbiodegradable plastic). This gear works as hard as many of the conventional options.

• Real Rods - U.S.-made bamboo and cork rods and poles ($70-$300).
• Bottle Cap Lures - repurposed bottle caps are surprisingly attractive to fish ($40/6).
• Flambeau Outdoors Tackle Boxes - keep your gear tucked away in a durable partially recycled plastic box with up to 38 compartments ($12-$29).
• Bioline - biodegradable line; once you open up the package, it stays as strong as regular line for 10+ months ($14/180-210 yards).
• Green Tackle - just about any kinda bait you want, minus junk like lead ($4-$7).
• MN Pollution Control Agency - list of nontox fishing gear manufacturers (not just for Minnesotans).
• Try live bait, since fish will just eat it, and it doesn't have the long-lasting impact of synthetic lures, which might hang out at the bottom of the lake or stream forever.

Filmed in Ellis, Colo., in May 2007, this tornado was on a mission. The clip opens with a frantic scene — the chasers become the chased as they flee down the highway in reverse — but you can clearly see how wildly it's rotating at several points, especially between the 1:35 and 2:20 marks, when it rips apart a building and several trees.

facesaerch

Facesærch performs Google Image searches with a twist: It turns up nothing but people’s faces. Created by Austrian Web developer Franz Enzenhofer, the engine uses a scrollable interface. Search for yourself or a celebrity. But for maximum pleasure, type a random word in and see who shows up: Moron gets you George W. Bush, Tim Geithner, Heather Mills, Jason Giambi, and Fred Durst. Now, that’s a party, isn’t it?