The lazy rich....

A sailboat left too long in the water has become frozen in Marquette, Michigan's Lower Harbor. 

Marquette Parks and Recreation Department contacted the owner to have it removed from the pier before it became frozen in place. Instead of moving the boat, the owner asked for a bubbler system (which prevents the water from freezing) to be installed at the tax payers expense. 

Guess what happened? Yep, the boat froze in place and now the owner has had to hire a crane to remove the boat or face multiple fines. 

This is a perfect example of a lazy person with too much money. Rather insulting when people don't have enough to eat. The crane operator is probably grateful.

If you'd like to make your own frozen sailboat, try this popsicle maker!

I love this picture!

That's it. I just love this picture! The kid in the middle is fantastic!

It's a baby aardvark!

The Detroit zoo welcomed it's newest addition to the menagerie of critters that call it home. Amani, which is Swahili for peace was born on December 8th weighing 3 pounds. We are awaiting DNA testing to determine if it is a he or a she. Doesn't seem to matter too much right now. 

Cute little odd creature!

It's almost Christmas!

Do you need a last minute gift idea? Well, this is not recommended for you or anyone else for that matter. 

It doesn't mean I didn't want to share it. At one time, not so long ago, this was a real suggestion for  a gift for every family member. 

And some American's wonder why the world thinks we are a violent society? This ad and serial killers (another American product) are good examples. Hmm.

Merry christmas!

A late edition...

... to my Christmas list. I love old vintage things like this. I have no idea where I would put it, but if I did have a large living room I'd treat is as a piece of sculpture. It is from a time when good design was used for all kinds of things. Today, things are designed to function more than to please the eye. What a shame.

So, this could be yours for a mere $4,000. Or if you were felling generous, it could be mine!

Winter Solstice

Today is the beginning of  winter solstice. However with all of the snow we have had so far one would never have believed it. This photo was taken a couple of weeks ago when the temperatures were in the forties. I love the wrapped trees in their burlap coats. However, if it were taken today it would have six inches of snow on it and it would be in the teens temperature wise. Makes the coats seem a little less silly.

So, it looks like we are going to have a white Christmas this year! Yea! I personally like snow as long as I don't have to drive long distances in it! My dog and I tromp through it in the woods. Ever so cool in more than one way!

Flame broiled body spray

Yes, this is what it says it is. Burger King is making a body spray for men that smells like a flame broiled whopper. You too can own it for a mere $3.99. But why would you want to smell like a hamburger? Now a french fry I understand. But how many women are going to go 'ooohh, hamburger, must have a bite'. And not to exclude the gay crowd, would men think the same about another man? Can't image that. Who does this appeal too other than the marketing department?

Tattoo Gun!

'Tis the season for marketing! 

Now who in the heck decided that this was a good idea? 

This is so wrong on so many, many, many levels.

This could very well define "toxic toys" in a different light.

And now for some good news!

Vestergaard Frandsen, a Swiss company that developed LifeStraw, a truly life saving invention for the estimated one billion people around the world who lack access to clean water. The personal water filter is housed in a polystyrene cylinder that hangs around the neck., cleaning at least 700 liters of water and removing 99.9% of waterborne bacteria and 98.7% of waterborne viruses. 

It's design is simple, with no spare parts or batteries needed. According to VF spokesperson Peter Cleary, humanitarian organizations have purchased 200,000 of the $5.50 devices for distribution in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. 

The world health organization estimates that roughly 1.8 million people, mostly children, die each year from waterborne illnesses.

Now this is something that is truly making a difference in peoples live. Very cool.

Puppy mill shoots dogs

E & A and A & J Kennels in Kutztown, Pa., for shooting 80 dogs last July after state dog wardens ordered they undergo veterinary exams. "The main reason most kennel owners resist exams is they don't want to pay the costs," says Robert Baker, an anti cruelty investigator for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty for Animals.

Under state law at the time, shooting the dogs was legal; Baker says such shootings are an everyday occurrence at puppy mills around the country. The killings underscore the need for laws similar to one signed in October by Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell that require kenneled animals receive annual veterinary care and permit only veterinarians to euthanize animals.

On another sad note, a man in a nearby township has been arrested for leaving his dogs out in the cold without shelter, food and water. When someone finally reported him, the investigator found two dead dogs (for for months) and a third on the brink of death. When confronted by police his only concern were the charges being brought against him. 

I just don't understand cruelty to any being. It makes no sense to me. 

It's a Toofer!

Creepy. There is an ad on t.v. advertising two for one plastic surgery operations. Looks like the 'praying on women's insecurities industry' isn't doing so well in this economic climate. 

Like I said creepy. And horribly sad.

Tragedy in Mumbai (Bombay)

 
My younger sister leads such a different life than I. Tara lives in Mumbai, India with her husband Angad within walking distance of where much of where the melee occurred. Fortunately she was home when the chaos began, but she was near enough that she heard shots and blasts. 

My father and I had a somewhat harrowing Thanksgiving as information was limited. The only communication that we had was via email. (Thank goodness for the Internet.) All phone communication was nonexistent. 

These are photos that she took in the area where she lives, shops, and works in. If the attacks had happened one day earlier she could well have been a victim  in one of the restaurants that was targeted. As expected, reconciling what happened is difficult for everyone there and around the world. Here is a link to an essay that my very eloquent sister wrote about the aftermath. 

It still surprises me that we are such similar people with such different life styles. She is literally a world away. Thank goodness she is safe in hers.