Another Cool Car I Have Owned, (continued)

If you look around on my blog, you will find another article with the similar title.  I just traded in my 2008 Scion xB for a 2012 Honda Accord.


To the right, you will see the Scion xB I just traded in on a new Honda Accord.  I really have a hard time trying to decide which one I really like better, the Scion xB, or the Honda Accord.

"Pugsly," my Scion is for sale on the used car lot at Honda of Temecula, along with other good cars they have taken in trade.  Be assured, they don't keep just any trade in for that lot.  Most go to the auction.  They only keep the cream of the crop for resale on their lots. She has just over 50K miles, and only under 6,000 miles on her in the past 16 months, too.



Here's my new car.  They are both really good vehicles, with good reports on both.

If I had anything to do with who buys my Scion, I would make sure that "Pugsly" (the Scion) gets a good, loving home.  It a vehicle with lots of get up and go, and it can easily pass anything that is trying to hog the road, or holding up traffic, too.

If you are interested in my sweet little Scion, go to Honda of Temecula, and ask for Brandon.  He's the salesman who made my deal.  Tell him you want to see "Puglsy the Scion." Honda of Temecula and also known as DCH Honda, and DCH Honda of Temecula, as well.  They made a good deal for me, and I'm sure you will also get treated well by Brandon, too.

Rattlesnake Season is Here Again

Rattle Snake Killed by This Writer Yesterday at the Home of a Friend

Paint Stud Horse
Paint Racing Breed

This year summer has come about two months earlier than normal in southern California.  Yesterday, I killed my first Rattler.  Though it was out of necessity, I still feel bad that this poor creature had to die.  But, it was near the home of a friend, and residents of apartments on her property.  There are cats, dogs, horses and goats in the area, and even though this Rattler was only about two feet long, it is actually more venomous than that of a larger Rattler's venom.

Coyote

I will be eating the meat, and nothing will go to waste.  Such a pretty pattern, and the poor thing had nothing in it's stomach, either.

Yellow Banded California King Snake
Though many people confuse these
snakes with Rattlers, these snakes are
immune to the toxicity of Rattlesnake
 venom.   These snakes actually kill
and eat Rattlesnakes.

Many Rattlesnakes are found on residential property in this area every year, as it is near the Cleveland National Forest, which also has Mountain Lions, Bob Cats, Coyotes, and many Rattlesnakes were also out much earlier this Spring, instead of waiting for July as usual, since we have been getting summer weather two months ahead of normal this year.  We have actually had temperatures of 109 degrees (F) on more than one occasion the year already.

I previously wrote about a friend who also has killed two Rattlesnakes on her property already this Spring (several weeks ago).

Southern Pacific Rattlesnake

Southwestern Pacific 
Rattlesnake

Wherever you live, stay alert and informed, so you can identify poisonous snakes that may live in your area of the country.  When the first come out of their dens in the warm weather, they are hungry, and will bite anyone or anything which makes them feel threatened.  Avoid them, and they will leave you alone.  You are too big to eat, and they are certainly frightened if anything that may approach is large.  Snakes have poor eyesight, and depend on the heat sensors around the mouth area, which tells them some warm-blooded creature is nearby.  They smell by flicking their split tongue, which allows them to recognize the scent of whatever is approaching, or that they may be tracking.

Night Rattlesnake

To enlarge these photos, click on one, and they will change into an album, with large, easier to see photos.

Following are photos of a few different colored King Snakes

Head of a Speckled King Snake

Speckled King Snake

Black Banded King Snake

King Snake

This snake is often confused with the Coral snake, which is venomous.
Here, the red and black touch (Non-poisonous) ▲

Coral Snake of United States     ▲
Here, notice the red and black are not touching (Poisonous)
▼

Here's a little rhyme to help remember the difference between a coral snake and a king snake which is the same colors:

Red with black,

A friend of Jack.

Red with yellow

can kill a fella'

PK Hawk

Monsignor William Lynn of the Catholic Church Jailed, Wearing His Priest's Collar

A Catholic Church in Mexico

    news article:     

By MARYCLAIRE DALE Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA June 22, 2012 (AP)Original 

A Roman Catholic church official was convicted of child endangerment but acquitted of conspiracy Friday in a landmark clergy-abuse trial, making him the first U.S. church official branded a felon for covering up abuse claims.

Monsignor William Lynn helped the archdiocese keep predators in ministry, and the public in the dark, by telling parishes their priests were being removed for health reasons and then sending the men to unsuspecting churches, prosecutors said.

Lynn, 61, served as secretary for clergy from 1992 to 2004, mostly under Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua.

"Many in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia hierarchy had dirty hands," Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams said. "They failed to realize...

To read the rest of the article, click on the link below:

Link to ABC's News page with article in full

Try to get a photo of St. Mary's
School, and you get this instead.
INTERESTING?
Image from Wikipedia

How Do You Feel About Tattoos?

Large Tattos

Tattoos are a very personal thing for many people. Most people with tattoos take pride in their display of tattooed body art.  However, many people who wear tattoos may also have difficulty in getting a job, if their tattoo is not covered by clothing.

I have seen both beautifully executed art in the form of tattoos as well as some pretty ghastly ones.  In my personal opinion, art is best displayed on walls and as statues.



NO,



NO 

and

NO NO NO 




I would not mark my body with tattooed art, but once, I did consider getting tattooed, permanent makeup done, for my eyebrows and eye liner.    But a friend did it, and it was messed up from the beginning.  Now, some years later, her "permanent makeup has faded to a gray/blue, which is more blue than gray, and it looks ridiculous on her, though she seems fine with it. 

Tattoos are expensive to apply, and even more expensive to remove, should you change your mind and decide to have them removed.  I understand it is also quite painful as well to have a tattoo done.  So, if you are dead set on getting an artistic tattoo, I would certainly suggest you first get a rather small on, and see not only how you like it, but also if you can bear the pain.  Some people are much more sensitive to pain than others.


Another consideration should be the fact that all tattoos eventually fade, and if you want it to stay, you may have to have it touched up ever several years.  If you notice the photo above, you can see the tattoo the arm of the male model, and see that is it noticeably faded, in comparison to his other tattoos.

Eyeliner 

I have a neighbor, "P" who has been an esthestician for many years, and a friend who has been a hair stylist, also for many years.  My neighbor is now an expert at applying permanent makeup.  My friend, "C.N." has been a stylist more than twenty years, and she would also like to take the course in applying permanent makeup.  I know she is very detail oriented, and would also do a very good job.   I really hate applying and wearing makeup, as it being so time consuming, now that I am older, it is even difficult to do, with my glasses on, or off.  Over the past ten years of so, I have been considering having my eyebrows and eyeliner done.  She said she would do mine as a combination of a favor, and her test to qualify, once she is ready for that part of the testing.  I know I can depend on her to do a nice application, so I am considering it again.

If you are considering getting permanent makeup done, I would recommend that you go to a qualified person, trained as esthestician who is not a tattoo artist, as the two may appear on the surface to be alike, but believe me, they are definitely not the same think at all.  You want to go to someone who is trained in applying makeup properly, not just someone who knows art tattoos.

More On Religion and Politics Butting Heads-This Time it's in The United States

"Catholic bishops sound battle cry for religious liberty"

Pope Benedict 

The Catholic church realizes their religious freedom is at stake.

The following it an excerpt from the article linked to below:

On Jan. 20, the Health and Human Services Department issued a mandate compelling nearly all religious organizations — including Catholic hospitals, universities, schools and charities — to provide their employees with free birth control, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs. This is a direct assault upon the conscience rights of numerous Christian groups, compelling them to violate their central religious beliefs or face massive penalties. The HHS ruling was clear: comply or go out of business. The Obama administration is striking at the very heart of the First Amendment. It is an unprecedented attack on religious liberty.

Read more:http://times247.com/articles/12catholic-bishops-sound-battle-cry-for-religious-liberty3#ixzz1wkHNbYRn

German Cathedral est. c 800 A.D.

Norway Abolishes CHURCH OF NORWAY - Reposted from Norway News

Flag of Norway      Norway News Norway abolishes Church of Norway

[16.05.2012, 08:26pm, Wed. GMT]

In a move that has taken many by surprise, the Norwegian Parliament is set to separate church and state when it carries a constitutional amendment to abolish the Church of Norway. The nation will become secular, with no official religion, and the government will not participate in the appointment of church deans and bishops. Svein Harberg, the spokesman for the Church, Education, and Research Committee stated that the decision is historic both for the Norwegian Church and for the politicians in Parliament. A parliamentary committee report presented Tuesday contains a unanimous recommendation to have the state permanently separate from the church. All 169 members of the seven parties in Parliament, including 10 representatives from the Christian Democratic Party and 30 from the Conservative Party are said to be behind the move, according to a report from TV2. The government will no longer have a minister of churches, and the state will no longer be responsible for the appointment of bishops and deans. Instead, Norway will treat all religions and philosophies equally. The state will no longer engage in religious activities, but support the Norwegian church, national church and other religious and belief communities in line with it, reports NRK. The amendments are expected to be formally passed on Monday The Church of Norway was formed after the Lutheran Reformation in 1536, and was officially called the Lutheran State Church. The state meddled very little in church matters, only quelling unrest when it had to, chose high church officials, and financially supported the church.   Opposition from secular groups arose in the 1970s when Norway's economy boomed and the church benefited. Stave Church in Norway Traditionally, every citizen of Norway became a member of the Church of Norway upon baptism. 79 percent of Norwegians are registered members, but only about 20 percent make religion a large part of their lives and only two percent attend church regularly, according to 2009 and 2010 data. A 2002 study done by Gustafsson and Pettersson revealed that 72 percent of Norwegians do not believe in a personal God. Terry Sanderson, president of the National Secular Society, said: This gives us hope that one day our own Government and indeed, the Church of England will realise that Establishment of one particular church is unjust and anachronistic. Breaking the link between church and state in Britain, however, would be an enormous task that could well take generations to achieve even if there was will to do it, which there isn't.

Margarine VS Butter-You Decide

Pure Unsalted Sweet Creamery Butter

This a reprint written by: Jim Fortner

Margarine was originally manufactured to fatten turkeys. When it killed the turkeys, the people who had put all the money into the research wanted a payback so they put their heads together to figure out what to do with this product to get their money back.
It was a white substance with no food appeal so they added the yellow coloring and sold it to people to use in place of butter. How do you like it? They have come out with some clever new flavorings....

DO YOU KNOW.. The difference between margarine and butter?
Read on to the end...gets very interesting!

Both have the same amount of calories.

Butter is slightly higher in saturated fats at 8 grams; compared to5 grams for margarine.

Eating margarine can increase heart disease in women by 53% over eating the same amount of butter, according to a recent Harvard Medical Study.

Eating butter increases the absorption of many other nutrients in other foods.
Butter has many nutritional benefits where margarine has a few and only because they are added!
Butter tastes much better than margarine and it can enhance the flavors of other foods.

Butter has been around for centuries where margarine has been around for less than 100 years.

And now, for Margarine..
Very High in Trans fatty acids.
Triples risk of coronary heart disease ...
Increases total cholesterol and LDL (this is the bad cholesterol) and lowers HDL cholesterol, (the good cholesterol)

Increases the risk of cancers up to five times..

Lowers quality of breast milk

Decreases immune response.

Decreases insulin response.

And here's the most disturbing fact... HERE IS THE PART THAT IS VERY INTERESTING!

Margarine is but ONE MOLECULE away from being PLASTIC... and shares 27 ingredients with PAINT

These facts alone were enough to have me avoiding margarine for life and anything else that is hydrogenated (this means hydrogen is added, changing the molecular structure of the substance).

Open a tub of margarine and leave it open in your garage or shaded area. Within a couple of days you will notice a couple of things:

* no flies, not even those pesky fruit flies will go near it (that should tell you something)

* it does not rot or smell differently because it has no value ; nothing will grow on it. Even those teeny weeny micro-organisms will not a find a home to grow. Why? Because it is nearly plastic. Would you melt your Tupperware and spread that on your toast?

Share This With Your Friends.....(If you want to butter them up')!

Chinese Proverb:
When someone shares something of value with you and you benefit from it, you have a moral obligation to share it with others.

Pass the BUTTER PLEASE


~Jim Fortner

By: All Vegan. All Delish.

Butter and Sour Dough Bread
or
 Toast, Topped With Pure Butter
and
Unfiltered Raw Honey.
A healthful and delicious treat.

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