text:
Oral History Program Dorothy Mills Bird Interviewed by Marci Farr 16 July 2008 Oral History Program Weber State University Stewart Library Ogden, Utah Dorothy Mills Bird Interviewed by Marci Farr 16 July 2008 Copyright © 2009 by Weber State University, Stewart Library Mission Statement The Oral History Program of the Stewart Library was created to preserve the institutional history of Weber State University and the Davis, Ogden and Weber County communities. By conducting carefully researched, recorded, and transcribed interviews, the Oral History Program creates archival oral histories intended for the widest possible use. Interviews are conducted with the goal of eliciting from each participant a full and accurate account of events. The interviews are transcribed, edited for accuracy and clarity, and reviewed by the interviewees (as available), who are encouraged to augment or correct their spoken words. The reviewed and corrected transcripts are indexed, printed, and bound with photographs and illustrative materials as available. Archival copies are placed in Special Collections. The Stewart Library also houses the original recording so researchers can gain a sense of the interviewee's voice and intonations. Project Description The Dee School of Nursing was founded in 1910 to provide training for nurses who would staff the new Dee Memorial Hospital. The first class of eight nurses graduated from the school in 1913 and the school continued to operate until 1955, with a total of more than 700 graduates. A new nursing school and home located just east of the hospital was completed in 1917 and all nursing students were required to live in the home during their training. This oral history project was created to capture the memories of the school's alumni before their stories disappear in the same way the Dee Hospital has disappeared. The oral interviews focus on how the women became involved with the school, their experiences going through training, and how they used the training. ____________________________________ Oral history is a method of collecting historical information through recorded interviews between a narrator with firsthand knowledge of historically significant events and a well-informed interviewer, with the goal of preserving substantive additions to the historical record. Because it is primary material, oral history is not intended to present the final, verified, or complete narrative of events. It is a spoken account. It reflects personal opinion offered by the interviewee in response to questioning, and as such it is partisan, deeply involved, and irreplaceable. ____________________________________ Rights Management Special Collections All literary rights in the manuscript, including the right to publish, are reserved to the Stewart Library of Weber State University. No part of the manuscript may be published without the written permission of the University Librarian. Requests for permission to publish should be addressed to the Administration Office, Stewart Library, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah, 84408. The request should include identification of the specific item and identification of the user. It is recommended that this oral history be cited as follows: Dorothy Mills Bird, an oral history by Marci Farr, 16 July 2008, WSU Stewart Library Oral History Program, Special Collections, Stewart Library, Weber State University, Ogden, UT. iii Dorothy Mills Bird Application Photo January 5, 1944 Graduation Photo Class of 1947 Dorothy Mills Bird September 10, 2008 1 Abstract: This is an oral history interview with Dorothy Mills Bird. It was conducted July 16, 2008 and concerns her recollections and experiences with the Dee School of Nursing. The interviewer is Marci Farr. MF: This is Marci Farr. I am interviewing Dorothy Mills Bird. She graduated in 1947 from the Dee School of Nursing. It is July 16, 2008 and we are interviewing her in her home in North Ogden. Dorothy we just want to know a little bit about your family life, your early history. DB: I was born and raised in Bothwell, Utah. It is 6 miles west of Tremonton. I was born at home. Mother was attended by Dr. White who practiced in Tremonton. I was the middle child having a brother and three sisters older and a brother and three sisters younger. We lived in a small two-roomed house. When my last little sister was 9 months old, Mother and Daddy moved us into Brigham in June of 1937. I was 11 years old when I started the 6th grade in Brigham. I have always loved school. I loved everything about Brigham—the Junior High and graduating as a Box Elder "Bee." I first started thinking about nursing when Daddy took us down to Ogden to see Mother in the Dee Hospital. She had had some surgery. We took the elevator up to the 4th floor. She was in a big ward called "H," I think. There were around 15 or 18 patients in that ward. We walked the length of that room seeing sick people all the way down to her bed where we drew the curtains around her for some privacy. I left the group and walked out of the room and across the hall into a kitchen or utility room and looked out that back window. There I saw the 2 nurses walking from the hospital up to the Nursing Home. They had their white caps on and wore blue capes around their shoulders. I remember thinking, "Oh, wouldn't that be wonderful to be a nurse." Even then I knew it would never happen. We didn't have much and were quite poor but we were a close and loving family. Mother's condition worsened after a time and she became completely bedridden from cancer of the bone. By this time, the three oldest children had left home and Jane and I took over the responsibility of helping Daddy with the home and watching over the younger children and the complete care of mother. We took turns rubbing her legs and back, learned to turn her, give her enemas, helping with her baths, etc…but she never left her bed for 2 years. The Relief Society President and sisters gave help many times. We both had our turns at staying home from school. Jane, being 2 years older missed more school than I did. Mother died in August of 1941. I began my sophomore year in September. Jane was a senior. She also had expressed a desire to be a nurse. In the early part of 1944, in my senior year, I was with my friends finishing up our gym class preparing to cross over to our next class. I overheard my friends talking about a nursing program in the army and the army paying for your nursing. I perked up and began to ask questions about where you went for the training and how you applied. I immediately began to find out more. I eventually filled out an application after talking with Daddy and Leone, my new mother. I told Jane about it but she was working and dating and had lost interest. Do you know that out of that whole group of excited girls, I was the only one who 3 followed through? So that's where I heard about it, friends talking and me eavesdropping. MF: You had to go to be part of the army; how did that work? DB: My application went through the Thomas D. Dee nursing program. We were enlisted in the army and were issued a cadet nurse uniform. Then we began the regular nursing program at the Dee. There was a stipulation that when our training was finished, we owed a year's time of serving in the regular army as a nurse. When we first went in, the upper class were spending their last 6 months up at the Bushnell Hospital in Brigham City. It was an army hospital. They then went on to serve other places, I guess. By the time we graduated in 1947, the war was over and we did not have to serve in the army. As I think back on high school, I am amazed at the classes I took. I took algebra, geometry, chemistry, microbiology, biology, physics, etc. I loved English and history. I never did take an elective in Girl's Glee. All my friends did. Yet I loved music and I sang in a trio my senior year. I always found a way to sing…always in a ward choir. But look at the advantage I had when I went into the nursing program. Anyway, I graduated from high school in May of 1944 on Friday and on Sunday, my father and Leona took me down to Ogden and into the nursing home where Mrs. Woods met us. MF: Was she the housemother? DB: She was the housemother and she took me to my room. I was hoping to get one of the new rooms but they took me over to the old part of the nursing home. 4 Some of us had to live there. We had a good time in that part of the hospital. We were there until the next class graduated and then they moved us over into the new part. MF: Do you remember Mrs. Hogge? DB: Oh heavens yes, my husband knew them because he lived up the street. I did not know him then because he had gone in the service. Hogge's ran a confectionery on the corner of 24th and Harrison, north of the hospital. Those boys and girls in that neighborhood used to go down to her place all the time. That was the meeting place. Yes, we went across the street many times on breaks. MF: When you first got there that Sunday what were your impressions? DB: Very nervous. A little frightened. Mrs. Woods was nice. I was shyer then than I am now. MF: Had you been away from home? DB: No, not really. MF: Tell me about some of your classmates. DB: We started out with a class of forty-nine. We were the largest class that ever came into training. By the time we had our capping six months later we had dwindled some. There were still more who dropped out. By the time we graduated we had twenty-four left. MF: So it was almost in half. DB: Yes. MF: Could you get married while you were a nurse? 5 DB: You were not allowed to get married and remain in the program. My first roommate was Renee Bohman. I really loved her, we had good times together and she was a top student. Half way through our training, her husband to be came home from the navy on leave and wanted to get married. She quit training. I was so sorry to see her leave. She either decided or knew that for her that was the important thing to do. We have remained friends all along. MF: Was she from Tremonton? DB: No she lived here in Ogden. She had a sister up in Morgan who she had lived with after her mother died. She used to take me with her when she would go on visits there. She would take me down to her father's house at times—on Grant Avenue. In fact, she married a brother of her sisters husband. Now she is Renee Bohman. MF: What kind of classes did you take while you were at the hospital? You had some that were at the hospital and some at Weber College correct? DB: Right. We had to take some chemistry and microbiology and a lot of those types of classes. I was so grateful that I had taken those in high school. Physiology, anatomy, and those were at Weber College. It was the hard classes that caused many of the drop-outs. We would walk down or take the bus and then come back up the same way. We had what they called a nursing lab right there in the nurses home. Our instructor was Marie Manning. We had a dummy we used to call "Annie," I think this one was called Annie, maybe it was the CPR one that was called "Annie." We learned to bathe her, turn her, change the bed for her, everything. 6 MF: It was very hands on. DB: A lot of the "hands on" learning. After six months they started introducing us to the hospital. MF: Now was that after your six months you started to care for your own patients' correct? Or was it after that? DB: No, after our capping at 6 months, they introduced us to the hospital. Our first shifts were 6-10 A.M. where we learned to do A.M. care. You put a basin of warm water by their bedside with a wash cloth and hand towel. Also their oral hygiene equipment so they could reach it and they prepared to freshen up for breakfast. Then we went back and cleared off their bedside table so we could pass out the trays. If the patient need help with A.M. care, we always gave it. We also gave them fresh water. After the trays were gathered in, we usually answered lights until it was time for us to go back to the Nursing Home for classes. At 4 P.M. we came back on duty and gave P.M. care in the same manner as above—passing and gathering trays and answering lights. Our shift usually ended at 6 P.M. Then we could go home to study. As we advanced with our classes, we also advanced in our care. Soon we started with one bath, then two or 3 baths. By the time we were on a full morning shift, we would have 5-7 baths—6 being the average and we did it all. A.M. care, bath, straightening the room, charting and going over for classes in the afternoon. There was always a "treatment" nurse and a "medication" nurse. If you had IV's along with your meds, sometimes they would assign someone to 7 "IV's." We also began rotating to the different floors or specialties as medical, surgical, maternity, nursery, operating room, pediatrics, diet kitchen, and so forth. At the beginning, we were working 6 days a week. Sometime in the middle of the second year, we began to get an extra half day off. Finally, the last year we were getting 2 days off per week. That was heavenly. MF: Were you required to go to church if you had that day off? DB: I was trying to think if it was a requirement. It was better if you did but our class always went. Here or there. We went to two or three different wards. Sometimes we went to a ward with the ones that were in our class that lived in Ogden. We might go down to their ward. There were a couple of wards on the north part that we went to. In fact, I went to the ward that Mac lived in but I did not know him then, did not know his parents, and did not know anything about him. Six of us formed a double trio. Margaret Critchlow, Donna Sorenson, Lois Berlin, Alice Berg, Joyce Mordaunt, and myself. Dorothy Mills and Betty Jean VanDyke played for us. She was in a class one year behind us. We sang at churches when invited. We made a record once. MF: When you were in your home you had a roommate right? Did you have just one roommate? DB: Yes. MF: How did that all work when you first got there? DB: Two to a room. Some of them, I just found out a short time ago did not gel. There were switches with the roommates. Renee' and I stayed roommates until she got married. Then I was assigned Ella Rose Lamborn and she was my 8 roommate. She went in to Polio nursing after our training was over. She and 2 or 3 others went to California—to Boise for a time. When Ella Rose came back to Ogden, about 2 or 3 years later, she contracted Polio and died from it. MF: Did she really? DB: Yes. She did not get to live very long and enjoy her time. MF: What was a typical day during your training? DB: Typical day...up at six, shower, down to chapel, devotional by six thirty, and then over to the hospital by seven. One of the fun things about nursing though, once a week we had a chorus practice, a nurses' chorale. Brother Cragun would come in from Pleasant View to lead and teach us. I enjoyed that all through training. Then we would sing at different programs in the Ogden area. We would get over to the hospital and listen to a report and get assignments and then we start on after breakfast, gathering the trays, starting the baths. By the time we were doing that much we were probably working until noon, doing five or six baths, and then scurrying back for classes held in the nursing home; since we weren't going down to Weber anymore. We were getting credit from Weber. Then we received more advanced classes for our training from the U. That is where our accreditation came from. We had both Weber and the University of Utah as giving us credit. MF: Who were some of your teachers, were they the doctors themselves and some nurses? DB: Sometimes they would have the doctors come and give their lectures and sometimes the nurses would follow up with other things. We had many lectures 9 from the doctors' surgical procedures and medical procedures, all of those things were given by doctors. Most of the actual training and nursing of course was given by the nurses. Some of the Dr.'s who lectured us were Dr. Dumke, Surgery; Dr. Fisher, Urology; Dr. J. Olsen, Heart problems; Dr. D. Peterson, Internal Medicine; and Dr. Rogers. Nursing classes were taught by Miss Lucille Taylor, our Superintendent of Nursing. She taught Operating Room technique and Surgical Nursing. Ruth Brown taught us—maybe Medical Nursing; Miss Scoville taught us of all aspects of Obstetrics…Delivery Room, Maternity floor, the Nursery. Mrs. Miner taught Materia Medica and "Ethics." I'm sure there were others. This is the time when we learned to stand up when a Dr. or Nurse Supervisor entered the room. At times we had to stand when an upper classman came into the room. Times have changed! MF: If you had a night or weekend off what was something you did? DB: Well occasionally if you could go home, you would. I used to ride the old puddle jumper up…do you know what the puddle jumper is? MF: Is it the Bamberger? DB: The Bamberger…up to Brigham and back. You had to have a Saturday and a Sunday in order to do that. Actually it got so then we had a day and a half off. It was quite awhile before we received two days off. We had to do our nursing studying along with our full-time hospital work, which the Weber kids did not have to do when they came. MF: Were there any traditions that you had at the hospital…that the nurses had? 10 DB: Probably. If you were lucky and were not working you could do some of the things that they did. Honestly, I cannot remember anything that was strictly tradition. Other than the capping ceremony I do not remember Christmas parties. Some of the others might, I just do not. I just remember how much I loved nursing, how enjoyable it was, and how close our class was and has remained close. I feel as close to those nursing friends as I do my own sisters. MF: You went through everything together. DB: You went through everything together and lived right there. That was the other thing, the Weber kids did not get to sleep in the nursing home. After we got out of our training, graduated, I was still working at the hospital; I was taking some classes at Weber, doing fun things during the day and working the night shift. One time I took a No dose three nights in a row, and went without sleep for 72 hours. I will never do that again. One experience was enough of trying to do that. MF: Tell me about your graduation ceremony. DB: We had it down at Weber College, I know we had it at Weber College and we had it in the gymnasium. I remember sitting up on the bleachers and then walking down to get our diplomas. When we graduated, the kids that were six months ahead of us graduated with us at the same time. Nurses were coming in every six months but one graduation. They had come in January and we came in June, but we graduated together. It was a lovely graduation. MF: Did you know any of the Dee family. Did you associate with any of them? 11 DB: I knew who they were and I saw them around. I knew Laurence Dee and Maude D. Porter; I worked over in that clinic afterwards. MF: Did you know Elizabeth Stewart? DB: Elizabeth Stewart was the one we knew most. Sometimes she would come to our annual Alumni meetings, not too often but occasionally. I would see her around in the hospital because I have worked in the hospital ever since I quit training. MF: When you graduated you did stay at the Dee? DB: I graduated in 1947 and got married May 7, 1948. I stayed at the Dee until summer came. No, that is not right. We went up to Logan and lived in a little trailer up by the USAC campus for three weeks until school was out. Then we came back to Ogden, lived in an apartment right close to the hospital. Mrs. Carlson, Myrtle Carlson was one of our 3-11 supervisors. I did not know if I wanted to live in her house or not and have her watching me. But we did and we lived there for the summer. Then we went back to Logan and I worked in the Cache Valley hospital in delivery room and floors. Then they closed that one down and the next year I worked at the Budge Hospital. Usually just two days a week because I was pregnant, throwing up at night when I was on duty. I got to work at hospitals where I received good training and good experience. Mac graduated from the USAC and we moved back to Ogden and that is where we have lived since. MF: After you came back from Logan did you work in any of the other hospitals in Ogden? 12 DB: The Dee was really the only hospital I worked at until they built St. Benedicts, and the only way I got into St. Benedicts was when I tried private duty nursing, and I got sent over there. Everybody clued you in on what you needed to do if you were working the night shift, "When they come by with the sacrament trays hide in the linen closet in the hall." MF: Did you retire from St. Benedicts? DB: No, I was just there for duty nursing. Instead of going back to the hospital for two days a week I said I would try private duty nursing. Actually what I did with my life was—I would work two days a week to keep my hand in nursing. I worked at the Dee hospital mainly, consistently until I would get pregnant I'd work till about 6 months along—stop until I would have my baby and I would take off for six months. Then I would go back and work part time and then I would have another baby. I had eight children. MF: Do you have any specific memories of certain patients that you cared for, was there any, or were they just in and out? DB: Oh there are some that you remember. I remember working on orthopedics down on South Porch where there were three guys always goofing around with the nurses. You almost would rather get the men's ward than the women's ward because you could never get out of the woman's ward. As soon as you got one patient done, somebody else would want something, you would get that done, then you would try and get out the door before someone else thought of something. MF: What was your favorite floor? 13 DB: Well, I really did not care for medical, though I worked it. I had to do a rotation on it. I loved surgical nursing floors. Post-op surgery because you could take care of them, they would heal, and go home. Then you would get somebody new in. I worked a lot of years in delivery room. I worked eleven to seven on that shift. Doctor Curtis, I ran into him one time in St. George in church and I said, "Oh Doctor Curtis, do you remember me?" and he says, "Oh yes, you are Mills and I can remember you looking like this, leaning over putting the drapes over the ladies legs" and he shut his eyes halfway and truly, I would be so tired that I just wanted to put my head on their knee and rest. You could not do that. That was an interesting place, too, because you were supposed to call the doctor just exactly when the baby was ready to deliver. If you did not call it right, sometimes the head would be coming out before the doctor got in there. You always retained a calm exterior. We had one nurse, a younger nurse, Belle Snow, and she would come running down the hall, "Oh the baby is coming, the baby is coming!" and she would go rushing down the hall with the cart and the family is all upset. "It is alright, take some deep breaths" and we would get her on the cart and up and into the delivery room and the doctor would get there in time to catch the head. That was not too often. Sometimes you called him too soon and the baby was in a different position and he had to wait. "Well call me when she is ready" type of thing and he would find an empty room to lie down in. That was why I enjoyed the delivery room—always a challenge. MF: While you were in the training did you receive any get pay? 14 DB: Now that was the good part of being a cadet nurse. I think the first year they gave us ten dollars a month. The next year they gave us twenty. When we were seniors we got thirty dollars a month. I have to tell this little story because it is for my family. MF: Please do. DB: Mac and I did not meet until the fall after I had graduated and moved into an apartment with Yo and Fumi. We met on a blind date. After a time we began to talk of serious things like paying tithing. He did not think he needed to pay on the money that the government was giving him. "I paid tithing on mine, Mac, I paid on my ten dollars, "Mac if you are not going to pay your tithing then…" you know, we had this little conversation. So he was going to prove me wrong that he wouldn't have enough to live on. He began to pay and found out he had all he needed. He will tell you that he learned about paying tithing because I paid tithing on mine. MF: That is great thank you for sharing that with us. DB: So that is just a little thing for the family. MF: When you were a nurse you had your medicines that you had to dispense them yourself. Did you have to do the doses and everything? Or had they come to pills by then? DB: Well most of them were the tablets in their form. When you were giving hypos, you had to figure…like morphine came in a quarter grain and they ordered an eighth. You had a Bunsen burner and a teaspoon across with water in it boiling. You dropped the needle in to sterilize it. You would draw up your syringe of 15 water after putting the tablet in. Then you drew up the right amount of water, You would shake the syringe till the tablet dissolved and then squirt half of it out to get the right dosage and give it to the patient. Penicillin came in while we were either in nursing or right at the end of it. The sulfa drugs were new. They started having Polio patients' right after we got out of training. I remember seeing the iron lungs down there on the bottom floor in what used to be central supply. Some of the nurses went into Polio and they traveled around to different parts of the United States working in the Polio units. We did not have any Polio when I was in nursing. MF: You mentioned you had taken a couple more classes after you got out of your nursing. DB: It was just for fun. In Geography classes we went on trips, met some guys, and had fun. MF: Just enjoyed it. DB: Yes, just enjoyed…did three quarters of English. I kept working full time all the time. MF: That is all the questions I have so we are going to keep the camera on behind me and you can just show me your nursing memorabilia. DB: Oh. I did want to tell you…I would work two nights and then have the baby and come back in six months. I did that up until the time my first son went on a mission and then I went full time while he had his mission. Then I went back to my two days, and then full time for the next one, and back to two days a week 16 and full time for the next one back off like that 'til the last two boys. Then an opportunity came in the recovery room to go full time and I took it. MF: You said that was your favorite, you liked the recovery. DB: Yes I liked recovery. That was my last experience and that is where I worked full time the most. Since I cannot find my other pictures, this is my graduation picture. I had sent one to my brother who was in the service in Japan. He took that little black and white picture, the small 3x5 black and white picture and gave it to someone over there that did this. He painted me this. When I first saw…"Oh my hair is too red and I look green, I do not like green." I got used to looking at it. It came all rolled up like a scroll and I would unroll it and show people. Finally when I got in this home, it may be our last and I thought, I am going to hang the picture that was done in Japan. MF: That is a great picture. DB: I got this plaque for thirty-four years at the hospital. Actually I would consider that I had…if I graduated in 1947 and I retired in 1987…that is forty years. But that is ok; thirty-four is close enough. MF: It is only six off. DB: Today I found my little booklet, my guest booklet. I had forgotten that I had one. Everybody wrote in it, here at the front congratulations. MF: That is wonderful. DB: I was going to say, you are going to see so many things from everyone else… MF: We are fine. We are happy to look at what you have. DB: Here I am in my cadet nurse uniform. 17 MF: That is great. DB: I could not find my capping picture of our group. I do not know if you want to take any of these, I had this capping picture. At least I found the paper one with the program. MF: That is great. DB: I think this is where I got my twenty year award. I was eight months pregnant and still working. MF: Oh that is great. DB: Here is Eva Jean Law, Nursing Supervisor, giving me my 20 year award. MF: Oh is this the reunion? DB: That is only part of them but that is the one with the most of us that made it to the reunion. Actually some of our friends never made it back and we felt so bad. MF: That is too bad. DB: I found I had a history of it. This little book here is just every time we have been to a class I put my nurse friends in a separate book. That is Joyce Mordaunt isn't it? No this is Yoshiko Iwamoto Oka, we call her Yo. You really should interview Yo. During the war, she felt discriminated against. She had applied at the Budge—I was accepted and ready to enter—and someone refused to let her enter. So she came to the Dee instead. Our graduation party was up at Patio Springs. A couple of years ago I said to her that I didn't get a picture of her. Then she told me that she and Fumi and other orientals were refused entry to Patio Springs. I never realized that that was going on. 18 She—you can almost say—she is the one that has been instrumental in keeping us together. I have an older sister that kept our family together. Yo, she has kept in touch with everyone. MF: That is great. DB: Except for those that refuse to be kept in touch with. So that is Yo. MF: Oh great. DB: There I was receiving another award. Some of my retirement days…anyway, I have skipped around. MF: You are absolutely fine. That is great. DB: Now did you see these? Hand me that please. That last reunion they had taken pictures of us in these big things. MF: In the panoramic. DB: You have interviewed Helen Farr? MF: We are doing her tomorrow. DB: She will show you more stuff than I have got. She was before us. She was almost a senior. MF: I think we saw that one yesterday, on Monday from our friend Alta. DB: This is probably one of our biggest reunions. MF: That is great. DB: When I am taking a picture I have to make sure everybody's face is shown. They have done a good job here except, look, there is one girl and I do not know who that is. Her face is hidden there. Other than that it is really a good picture. MF: It is a great picture. 19 DB: I haven't framed them. MF: Is that where you meet for the reunions for the alumni? The hospital? DB: Yes at the hospital. We have gone to the country club other years. MF: So it just depends. DB: There is just one more thing there I would like to show you. When I retired, the kids in recovery room were so sweet. They made me this scrap book. I have never had one. MF: That's nice. DB: I designed this Recovery Room Record sheet for our charting for them. They put all kinds of stuff, letters and stuff. To the back here…there is the nursing picture that was taken from. I will bet my capping pictures in here too. Maybe that is where it is at and I forgot where I put it. Then some more pictures in the recovery room and different items. This is what recovery room looked like—no—my capping picture is not here. MF: Oh that is wonderful. I know, most of the time you are eyes closed right? DB: If you will hand me that nurse in there. That is what they gave me (I am pointing to my Iladro Nurse in my "What Not" cabinet). MF: The big nurse? DB: Just pull the door open. I will sit here and hold it. This was my retirement gift from recovery room and this scrapbook. MF: That is wonderful. DB: Is not that wonderful? We used to talk about when we retired, "How should we take our retirement?" When I retired I did what most of them said they had done. 20 I took ten years for sure or life was the way it was. That is what JoAnn did. Well I have lived twenty years beyond so I have really done well on my retirement. MF: That is great. Love it when it works out that way. DB: JoAnn is one of the nurses you will not be able to interview. She retired about four years after I did; she got cancer of the liver and was dead in about three years, which is all she received on her retirement. We do not know how things are going to go for us, ever. MF: We never know. DB: It is all a guess. I cherished my nursing time and experiences. I was always grateful that I was able to do nursing, help people. Of course, when you are a nurse the neighborhood calls on you a lot. You get to give shots, I did a lot of home care for some of the people in our ward, or saw to it that they got it. MF: Yes. DB: Things you do when you are Relief Society President… MF: You probably felt if you could help you would do it. DB: I was so grateful, I had to get up and bear my testimony, give thanks that I had that privilege. It really was a privilege. MF: I am glad you were able to share your story with us. We appreciate you taking time for us. I am glad you called. DB: Thank you for coming. I have enjoyed your visit and have appreciated reminiscing.
Click tabs to swap between content that is broken into logical sections.


text:
Where: Adler Planetarium,
1300 S. Lake Shore
Tickets: General admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors; $8 for kids from 3-11
Info: (312) 922-7827;
Article Extras
Updated: August 12, 2012 6:38AM
The universe offers a mind-boggling mix of clues and mysteries, which both scientists and laypeople have grappled with for centuries. With every new discovery comes another bundle of questions. And when developments are made, scientists often struggle to present findings in an accessible way.
"The Universe: A Walk through Space and Time," a new, $1 million, state-of-the-art exhibit at the Adler Planetarium, which opened Tuesday, is designed to help visitors deconstruct the cosmic puzzle, museum officials say.
"We wanted to make this exhibit more approachable, something a little more fun and hands-on," said Karen Carney, associate vice president for Visitor Experience and Learning at the planetarium. "We're trying to fit 100 billion light years into a few thousand feet."
The 3,000-square-foot exhibit has seven unique stations, including one that lets visitors explore dozens of galaxies via touch screen.
In "Walking through the Universe," visitors witness an interactive history of time and space, with physical representations of the universe's past and explanations of each chapter.
On the floor, museum-goers can simulate functions of outer space. Visitors can walk on small colorful dots that represent atoms, which "separate" as they pass through the clusters. After that, they can step on stars that "explode" to create supernovas, the end of a star's life. And in the third element, visitors can make black holes, which are represented as purple streaks that swallow all surrounding matter.
"I like how you can interact with everything. It's really cool," said Isabelle Shanahan, 11, of Wicker Park, a member of the Adler Planetarium summer camp, who visited the exhibit on opening day.
Shanahan said her favorite stationwas "Postcards from Galaxies," where visitors can ship letters at the speed of light — a process that takes just four hours from Neptune, but 2.5-million years from the Andromeda galaxy.
For Dennis Chase, 16, of Naperville, the use of advanced technology is what makes the exhibit work.
"I think it really helps people understand what's going on," said Chase, whose mother works as an astrophysicist at Adler, but was not involved in the project.
The exhibit explores age-old questions such as how the universe began, where it came from and whether there's life beyond earth.
These are the questions planetarium visitors often arrive with, according to Michael SubbaRao, laboratory director for space visualization at the planetarium, who led the project.
"We're in the Golden Age of cosmology and this exhibit can help visitors experience that," SubbaRao said.
One of the challenges the exhibit faces, however, are the rapid developments in cosmology. Physicists last week discovered the elusive Higgs Boson, also known as the "God particle," which many believe explains the origins of mass and will unlock key secrets to the universe. Scientists long theorized its existence, but could never secure concrete proof until now. The exhibit therefore uses extensive video, which features interviews with prominent astronomers. Those interviews can be updated to reflect momentous changes in the field down the road.
SubbaRao, who also has worked at the University of Chicago since 1998, expects more groundbreaking developments in the study of the universe to be made in the next five to ten years. He said the insights into dark matter, which comprise nearly 80 percent of the universe, are the next frontier.
"There are still big discoveries to be made — and most of the action is happening right here in Chicago," he said.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Winter Fun Nights
Every other Thursday, from 01/03/2013 to 02/28/2013, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Rock Mountain Bible Camp in South Gibson, PA offers free family fun! Tubing on 2 lighted tube runs, hot cocoa, coffee and tea by the fire! January 3rd, 17th, 31st AND February 14th & 28th from 7-9pm. No Go if No Snow! For more information call 570-756-2200 ext 212 or to verify snow.


text:
She was a native of Shelbyville and had lived there most of her life until relocating to Cleveland approximately 10 years ago.
She was born on Jan. 22, 1931, a daughter of the late Odus and Mattie Barnett.
She was of the Baptist faith and a member of the Valley View Baptist Church. She was an accomplished seamstress, quilter and knitter. She also loved gardening and was an avid reader.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Myles Wilson Donegan; and three sisters: Rachel Lowe, Betty Reed and Marion Moulder.
She leaves behind to cherish her memory, one daughter and son-in-law, Pam and Marty Smith of Hixson; two sons and daughters-in-law: Clinton and Martha Donegan of Johnson City and Ricky and Sandy Donegan of Cleveland; two sisters: Sybil Norman (Jack) and Mae McGowan (Clarence); 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; numerous other extended family members; and the friends in her senior adult group from Valley View Baptist Church.
A memorial celebration is planned for Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, at 6 p.m. at the Valley View Baptist Church, 4675 Spring Place Road, Cleveland, TN 37323, with the Rev. David Tuten officiating.
The family will receive friends at the church from 4 to 6 p.m. service time on Friday.
A second visitation is planned Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (CST) at the Shelbyville First Church of the Nazarene, 834 Union Street, Shelbyville, TN 37160.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to the Valley View Baptist Church in Olivia's memory.
The family also extends appreciation to the staff of Bradley Health Care and Rehab for the excellent care they provided Mrs. Olivia during her stay there.
You are encouraged to share a memory of Olivia and/or your personal condolences with her family by visiting her memorial web page and guestbook at www.companionfunerals.com.
Companion Funeral & Cremation Service and the Cody family are honored to assist the Donegan family with these arrangements.


text:
More Giveaways For October 5th Northwest Extreme Winged Sprint Date By Ben Deatherage (Photo Courtesy of LisaSwanberg.com) Elma, Washington- More prizes have been added to the already impressive list of giveaways that will be handed out to Northwest Extreme Winged Sprint teams that make it to the Saturday October 5th race at Grays Harbor Raceway. The night will also include the Cut Rate Auto Parts Street Stocks and Hornets in racing action and will be the only chance to see Sprint Cars on dirt in the great state of Washington as well as the last event of 2013 at GHR.
The new prizes we would like to announce is a Makita Cordless Drill courtesy of A-1 Supply in Camrose, Alberta and two $100.00 gift certificates for Highline Performance. One certificate will be awarded through a random drawing the other will be given out as the "Hard Luck Award". A complete list of prizes can be found at the bottom of this release.
Be sure and stay tuned for the latest updates throughout the week on www.graysharborraceway.com. So if you're looking for some fast action and great side by side racing make your way to Grays Harbor Raceway this Saturday October 5th.
The Grays Harbor Raceway is known for its high speeds and side by side racing as well as its large track size. Hosting racing action from April to October regular classes include 360 Sprints, IMCA Modifieds, USAC Ford Focus Midgets, Street Stocks, Hornets, and for the first time the Northwest Extreme Winged Sprint Car Series. Special events include visits by the World of Outlaw Sprint Car Series and American Sprint Car Series-Northwest Region. You can keep up on all the latest activity at www.graysharborraceway.com for the most-recent news and stories or call the Northwest Information Hotline at (360)-699-RACE.
Northwest Extreme Winged Sprint Giveaway List (As of 10-1-13) Tire Gauge (Joe's Racing Products) Steering Wheel (Joe's Racing Products) Set of AN Wrenches (Joe's Racing Products) Hat (Joe's Racing Products) T-Shirt (Joe's Racing Products) Stop Watch (Joe's Racing Products) Dyno Session (Richmond Engines) $50.00 Gift Certificate (Speedmart Inc.) Left Front Aluminum Rotor Kit (Speedmart Inc.) 5/8 Left and Right Tap Kit (Speedmart Inc.) Makita Cordless Drill (A-1 Supply of Camrose, Alberta) $100.00 Gift Certificate (Highline Performance) $100.00 Gift Certificate (Highline Performance) "Hard Luck Award"
MyRacePassTM is your ticket to the online motorsports world. Tired of having to remember your username and password for countless different racing websites? MRP is a globally recognized login across a vast network of motorsports websites (including this site). Having your "MyRacePass" account will handle your username, password, profile picture, and all account information for any website on the network. You will be notified of updates to the network as it continues to grow. We thank you for being a part of this ground-breaking motorsports online experience.


text:
The Cleveland native thought she was just sore from a physical therapy session where she had exercised her arms earlier in the day, but it turned out she was having a heart attack that left half of her heart not working afterward. Now back on her feet after only six weeks, she spends her days grooming dogs as she's done for about 41 years.
"They really didn't think I was going to make it," Vernon said. "I'm blessed."
Vernon, who is 61, said she and her husband, Freddie, keep a couple of horses on their property. When she woke up from an induced coma at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga, she thought she was there because one of her horses had gotten spooked. She had dreamed about being injured by her horse while she was in a coma.
"I dreamed my little filly horse had kicked me," Vernon said. "I said, 'My horse kicked me,' and everyone sort of laughed."
Her family, along with the doctors and nurses, filled her in on what had really happened.
She remembered going home that evening after a physical therapy session to work on a problem with one of her arms and being in a lot of pain afterward.
She called her husband, who was working a middle-of-the-night shift at a local company, at 4 in the morning to say she needed to go to the hospital. His workplace would not let him leave, so she called her daughter, Dahlia.
When the mother and daughter arrived at SkyRidge Medical Center, the staff realized Vernon was having a heart attack and began work to stabilize her. Vernon later had to be transferred to Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga for surgery.
At Memorial, Dr. Richard Morrison and his staff performed five bypasses and two valve repairs during surgery.
Vernon said she was told that the right side of her heart would not beat. She was hooked up to a machine called a BiVAD, or biventricular assist device, that would keep it beating for her and placed in a coma while the machine gave her heart time to recover.
Her family was worried as the doctors had not given them too much hope. Her sister, a cardiac nurse, had seen cases like Vernon's before and did not like what she saw. Other family members were asked to visit Vernon in the hospital because of the possibility she might not be around much longer.
However, she proved everyone wrong. She woke up complaining about being kicked in the head by a horse. All in all, she remained in the intensive care unit for 12 days.
"I recovered really well," Vernon said. "I was back to work in six weeks."
As she told her story, she glanced over her shoulder to observe Dahlia tending to some of the dogs at the grooming business she owns.
Finding a way to blend her love of animals with the need to make an income, Vernon said she began grooming dogs after finishing at Cleveland High School. At the time, there were not very many dog groomers, she said.
She started by styling her Scottish terrier's fur before taking an apprenticeship to learn the dog grooming trade. The experience later resulted in her own business, the Canine Clips Grooming Shop on Guthrie Avenue.
Returning the subject to literal issues of the heart, Vernon encouraged women to be aware of some of the early signs of heart attacks, which can include pain in the arm like she experienced.
She said she did not experience any pain in her chest at all. She encouraged everyone to eat well, stay fit and pay attention to which health problems run strongly in their families.
She said she had eaten well and was not overweight, but heart disease ran in her family.
As unexpected as the heart attack was, she said it has helped her better appreciate the life she has been living. She can again run her business and ride the horse that had, in fact, not kicked her in the head.
"I recovered really well," she said with a smile.


text:
The Banner is again asking readers to share some of their favorite recipes with others in the community.
The Holiday Recipe Favorites will be included in the Banner on Nov. 11.
"It is always fun to try new recipes, especially during the holiday season," noted Gwen Swiger, associate editor.
Recipes will be accepted through Nov. 6. The recipes should include the name of the sender as well as a telephone number.
"We will not print the telephone number, but need it in case of a question about the recipe," Swiger said.
If you have a photo of the completed recipe, those will also be considered for publication.
To submit a recipe email it to firstname.lastname@example.com with a Holiday Recipe subject line or mail it to Holiday Recipes, Cleveland Daily Banner, P.O. Box 3600, Cleveland, TN 37320-3600.


text:
2005-2013 Xterra
2005-2013 Nissan 4WD Xterra Suspension Lift Kits. We carry reputable brands such as Jack-It, Pro Comp, ReadyLift, and more, to provide you with custom fit lift kit applications for your Xterra.
2.5" 2005-2012 Nissan Frontier/Xterra Nitro Kit
Regular Price: $299.95
Special Price: $279.99
Free Shipping!
2.5" 2005-2013 Nissan Xterra Lift Kit
$329.95Free Shipping!


text:
Cameroon [
Select your country
Request Information
Find proven services from the world's leading enterprise for business process and document management.
Document Management
Managed Print Services
Centralised Print Services
Back Office Transaction Processing Solutions
IT Outsourcing
IT Solutions
IT Support Services
Cloud Services
Business Processes
Customer Service - Solutions
Finance & Accounting
Communication and Marketing
Production Printing
Digital Printing Business Development
Case Studies
Industries we serve
Financial Services
Higher Education
High Tech and Communications
Retail and Consumer Products
Browse Products
Office Printers
Production Printers
Continuous Feed Printers
Wide Format Printers
Software and Solutions
Office Software
Workflow Software
Buy products
Office multifunction/printers
Production digital presses
Toner and Ink
More buying choices
Find Resources
Small business resource center
Case studies
Production printing blog
Digital printing applications
Partnership opportunities
Supplies & Consumables
Need more information?
Related Links
Supplies & Consumables
Recycling Programs
Find a Local Supplies Dealer
Genuine Xerox Toner
Support & Drivers
Product Links
Support, Drivers & Downloads
Frequently Asked Questions
Find a Local Service Provider
Security Information
Related Links
Managed Print Services
Supplies & Consumables
Technical Support
Products and software
Business Services
Xerox Corporation
Worldwide Locations
Where to Buy
Office Equipment
Production Equipment
Business Services
About Xerox
Xerox at a Glance
For more than a half a century, Xerox has been a leader in document technology and services. We continue to build on this heritage of innovation. Through our acquisition of Affiliated Computer Services, we now are the world's leading enterprise for business process and document management, offering global services from claims reimbursement and automated toll transaction to customer care centers and HR benefits management. The new Xerox is dedicated to innovation, service and giving our customers the freedom to focus on what matters most: your real business.
download Fact Sheet (PDF)
watch video
We're dedicated to building a place where great ideas and people can thrive. Do you have what it takes to join the team?
That's a testament to our ongoing dedication to innovation.
See how we've been creating business solutions for more than
a century.
Our dedication to innovation runs throughout everything we do at Xerox. We dedicated 3.2% of our revenue to research and development.
2013 Revenue:
$21.4 billion
2013 Income:
$1.2 billion
2013 Earnings per Share:
$.90 per share
Xerox Leadership
Ursula M. Burns, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Our CEO since July 2009, and Chairman of the Board since May, 2010, Burns joined Xerox as a mechanical engineering summer intern in 1980. During her tenure, she has headed up many of the initiatives that strengthened Xerox's leadership in document technology and services.
More Executive Bios
Xerox Locations
With offices all over the world, we're always close to your business.
Xerox Headquarters
45 Glover Avenue
PO Box 4505
Norwalk, CT 06856-4505
Xerox Mission and Vision
Xerox Mission Statement
Through the world's leading technology and services in business process and document management, we're at the heart of enterprises small to large, giving our clients the freedom to focus on what matters most: their real business.
Core Values
One thing that never changes is our core values.
We succeed through satisfied customers.
We deliver quality and excellence in all we do.
We require premium return on assets.
We use technology to develop market leadership.
We value our employees.
We behave responsibly as a corporate citizen.
Company Info
Xerox at a Glance
Xerox Leadership
Investor Relations
Innovation Lab
75 Years of Xerography
Historical Highlights & Awards
Xerox Fact Sheet (PDF)
Products & Services
Business Services
Document management and workplace optimization.
view document services success stories
Office Equipment
Printers, copiers, multifunction printers, supplies.
view small business success stories
Production Equipment
Digital presses, production printers and copiers, wide format printers and workflow software.
view production success stories
Helpful Resources
Contact Info
Xerox Organizational Structure (PDF)


text:
A Randomized Phase III Study Comparing Cabazitaxel/Prednisone in Combination with Custirsen (OGX-011) to Cabazitaxel/Prednisone for Second-Line Chemotherapy in Men with Metastatic Castrate Resistant Prostate Cancer
What is the purpose of this trial?
This Phase III study has been designed to confirm that adding custirsen ;to cabazitaxel/prednisone treatment can slow tumor progression and enhance survival outcomes compared to standard cabazitaxel/prednisone treatment in men with metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). This will be a randomized, open-label, multicenter, international trial. Treatment will consist of cabazitaxel/prednisone/custirsen ;vs. cabazitaxel/prednisone.
Participation Guidelines
- Age:
- Gender:
Click here for detailed information about who can participate in this trial.
- Sponsor:
- Oncogenex
- Dates:
- 06/25/2013
- Last Updated:
- Study HIC#:
- 1302011537


text:
What is the 'fiscal cliff?'
Published On: Nov 09 2012 08:50:09 AM PST
Updated On: Dec 31 2012 05:28:08 AM PST
Confused by all this talk of a "fiscal cliff" and what it means to you? As lawmakers in Washington try to beat tonight's deadline, here are some answers.
The views expressed are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. By posting your comments you agree to our Terms of Use.


text:
Faux Wrap Twisted Dress
Style # 212752
Nothing like a bold color to turn heads. This bebe dress features a luxe wrapped design and a gorgeous neckline. Try yours with a statement necklace and your highest pair of heels to create a sexy going-out look.
- 95% viscose, 5% spandex
- Center back to hem: 24" (61 cm)
- Jersey lining
- Invisible zipper
- Dry clean
- Imported
- Model is 5'9" and is wearing a US size S
Faux Wrap Twisted Dress
Poor quality product
Did not like this dress at all, the material is, feels and looks very cheap.
May 26, 2013
not as pretty in person
I ordered this dress online in a size medium. I was quit let down when I saw that the red was not the deeper red as shown in the look book. The neckline was more plunging than I liked. It show quite more cleavage than shown on the model. Lastly, the band that goes around the ribcage was very tight. I was sad to return this bit it was a miss all around.
May 26, 2013
Bringing this one back
The dress color was a metallic red color that really looked trashy. The fit was very loose, I ordered an XS as I am 5'3 103lbs and other bebe dresses that were XXS were way too small. The last few lines from bebe have not been my style, I like classy dresses compared to the racy new looks, please bring back some options that can be worn around family!
May 17, 2013
I first got this in a Small, and it was a bit snug in the waist, which is quite fitted, so I had to go up to a Medium. I love the feel of the material, and how the skirt has a tulip-like quality with helps hug your curves. The braids give it a differential detail too. I took one star away because of the chest area; the neck does plunge a bit, especially on the small, but with the Medium the fabric does cover a bit more, which is good. This will be worn with gold/black strappy heels!
May 12, 2013
just received this dress in mail , runs true to size and the color is like the model wears on line not the catalog . the v neck is perfect ,not to deep-reveiling ,did not find any zipper issues with mine , love it !!!
May 11, 2013
Nice dress but very Dissapointed!!!
I went to local Bebe store and I picked the last XS. Everything look great on me, except the bottom of the zipper stick out. Look like I have a deformed hip(on my left). I hate to spend extra money just to have it fix, so I rather not buy. Bebe....what's going on with your zipper issues lately.
May 10, 2013
1-6 of 6


text:
ADHS will be performing maintenance on the Medical Marijuana systems starting on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 10 PM expected to be completed by Sunday, January 25, 2015 at 4 AM. During this time, Medical Marijuana Online Registry Applications will be unavailable. We apologize for the inconvenience this maintenance downtime may cause. If the process is completed earlier, the systems will be made available at an earlier time.
Arizona Medical Marijuana Program
- Arizona Medical Marijuana End of Year Report 2014
- The Arizona Department of Health Services will accept Dispensary Registration Certificate applications in late 2015. There will be more information forthcoming regarding which, and the number of, CHAAs that will be available.
Use the links below to find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Arizona Medical Marijuana Program. This is a developing program, so there may be things referenced in the FAQs that are not available yet. We suggest you bookmark this site and check back periodically to find the information you need.
Note: The information provided here is intended to provide general guidance and is just a supplement to the final rules and existing Arizona statutes governing the Arizona Medical Marijuana Program. For specific sections of the rules and statutes that pertain to these FAQs, search our Rules & Statutes section.
- Show All
- Hide All
- Print All
Click on a question below to see the answer.
GE01: Why do I need to have a medical marijuana registry identification card?
- A school or landlord can't refuse to enroll or lease to a qualifying patient unless failing to do so would cause the school or landlord to lose benefits under federal law;
- An employer can't discriminate against a qualifying patient in hiring, terminating, or imposing employment conditions unless failing to do so would cause the employer to lose benefits under federal law; and
- An employer can't penalize a qualifying patient for a positive drug test for marijuana, unless the patient used, possessed, or was impaired by marijuana on the employment premises or during hours of employment.
GE02: What is still prohibited under the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act?
The Arizona Medical Marijuana Act (Act) does not:
- Authorize a person to undertake any task under the influence of marijuana that constitutes negligence or professional malpractice. Authorize possessing or using medical marijuana on a school bus, on the grounds of a preschool, primary school, or high school, or in a correctional facility.
- Authorize smoking marijuana on public transportation or in a public place.
- Authorize operating, navigating, or being in actual physical control of a motor vehicle, aircraft, or motorboat while under the influence of marijuana. A registered qualifying patient will not be considered to be under the influence of marijuana solely because of the presence of marijuana in the person's system that appears in a concentration insufficient to cause impairment.
- Require a government medical assistance program or private health insurer to reimburse for costs associated with the medical use of marijuana.
- Require an owner of private property to allow the use of marijuana on that property.
- Require an employer to allow the ingestion of marijuana in the workplace.
- Prevent a nursing care or other residential or inpatient healthcare facility from adopting reasonable restrictions on the provision, storage and use of marijuana by residents or patients.
GE03: Will there be people growing medical marijuana in my neighborhood?
A qualifying patient or the qualifying patient's designated caregiver may cultivate medical marijuana if the qualifying patient lives more than 25 miles from the nearest dispensary. A dispensary may cultivate marijuana at the dispensary or at a cultivation site, but the location of the dispensary and the cultivation site needs to be in compliance with local zoning restrictions. Anyone who grows medical marijuana must do so in an enclosed area.
GE04: How much will it cost to apply for a registry identification card or a dispensary registration certificate?
The fees are listed in rules and include:
- $150 for an initial or a renewal registry identification card for a qualifying patient. Some qualifying patients may be eligible to pay $75 for initial and renewal cards if they currently participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
- $200 for an initial or a renewal registry identification card for a designated caregiver. A caregiver must apply for a new card for every patient under their care (up to five patients).
- $500 for an initial or a renewal registry identification card for a dispensary agent.
- $5,000 for an initial dispensary registration certificate.
- $1,000 for a renewal dispensary registration certificate.
- $2,500 to change the location of a dispensary or cultivation facility.
- $10 to amend, change, or replace a registry identification card.


text:
Product Number: | FA30CA |
Item Price: | $23.73 $21.49 |
Availability: | Currently Out of Stock, click the alert icon to be notified when product is available. |
Shipping Weight: | 0.68 lb. |
Due to limited supplies, and high demand this item has a 5 piece maximum order quantity per customer, every 1 day.
The Soft Point Round Nose features an exposed tip, good weight retention and specially tapered jacked that provide controlled expansion for deep penetration.
When hunting the woods and clearings, you need a bullet that handles any situation. Power-Shok provides you with consistent and proven performance without a high-dollar price tag. It's an great all-around choice for medium to large-game. Find good quality, standard bullets in a variety of calibers, including less popular calibers.
Customers who bought this item also purchased
Similar items: Rifle Ammunition
Sort By:


text:
This is a practice run. I've never been able to post pix here.
And there you have it. It always comes out as a thumbnail. I cannot get the full pix in the post.Mainz, Germany...A float depicting U.S. President George W. Bush bing spanked by the Statue of Liberty passes by during the Rose Monday carnival parade in Mainz, western Germany. Thousands of spectators attended the traditional street carnival parade in the state of Rhineland Palatinates's capital. (02/20/07 AP photo)


text:
Donovan Douglas - Roads offer too little room for bicycles
Aug 9, 2013 | 5 Comments
Only online subscribers may access this article. Subscribe online by clicking here. Already a subscriber, please log in.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Only online subscribers may comment on articles. Click here to see how you can subscribe.
Already a subscriber, please log in
Note: Some articles do not accept comments at all.
It's not unusual for me to ride 2-3 hours and see perhaps five cars. If you've spend any time riding in and around larger cities, riding a bicycle in Yamhill county is heavenly. Like anything, you need to pick your spots. Highway 47 has perhaps the best shoulders of any road in the county and is more than adequate for cyclists and auto traffic.
I would agree that better shoulders on many roads would benefit everyone and unless I missed something, Oregon does still require that a portion of gasoline taxes be used to fund pedestrian and bicycling facilities. (see Oregon Bicycle Bill, 1971) Lobbying ODOT and Yamhill county to apply some of that funding towards improvements to the link roads like Meadow Lake and Westside road would be far more productive than trying to ban cyclists. Get real.
These people who wish to legislate every tiny aspect of human life should poke their heads outside the bubbles in which they live and observe the rest of us going about our lives sometime. That goes for you, too, Donovan J. Douglas. Please, oh please protect me from myself!
I drive a car and a pickup. Using the above logic, why should I have to pay taxes on both when I've already paid on one.....................?
I also ride a bicycle. My thought is that if there was a little more pro-active enforcement of traffic laws as they pertain to bicycles, and some, not all, but some bicyclists didn't act so entitled perhaps these arguments wouldn't arise.
Remember the nasty comments when bikes ran the stop sign in Amity and got a ticket? I was on the Ballston-Amity road that day and personally observed more than one group riding 3 and 4 abreast and refusing to get into a single file line so cars could safely get by. Since I'm on that road frequently, I can tell you that it is not an uncommon occurrence, especially when the coast rides and other rides that use that route to avoid 18 are going on.
• Over 100 attend vigil for McGraw (4548)
• Gun rights advocates pack meeting (4147)
• McMinnville man accused of stabbing arrested (3800)
• Bank files aircraft foreclosure motion (3286)
• County commissioners discuss goals (2617)
• All-Valley Soccer Athletes of the Year (2591)
• Letters to the Editor - Jan. 23, 2015 (2344)
• Legal marijuana still a mind-altering drug (2263)
• Gun rights advocates pack meeting (55)
• Bank files aircraft foreclosure motion (9)
• Letters to the Editor - Jan. 23, 2015 (8)
• All the sound and fury much ado about nothing (7)
• Deputy kills escaped bull that knocked down man in Oregon (5)
• County commissioners discuss goals (5)
• Thanks, but no thanks: Council refuses grant (5)
• Legal marijuana still a mind-altering drug (4)


text:
©2003 Bill Bryson; (P)2003 Books on Tape, Inc. Published by Arrangement with Random House Audio Publishing Group, A Division of Random House, Inc.
"Not to be missed." (AudioFile)
"Destined to become a modern classic of science writing." (The New York Times Book Review)
"Very informative, fun to listen to"
This was the first audio book I?ve purchased on Audible and I must say that the experience was surprisingly pleasant.
Being a bit of a science geek, yet not nearly smart enough to understand all of the detailed ins and outs of the various disciplines of study, I have spent the last several years of my college career picking up bits and pieces of science information from whatever web sites I?ve stumbled upon. Combining that with my general understanding of the way the world works, most gleaned from sleepy days in high school science classes, I thought I had a pretty good understanding of what this planet is all about.
Much to my surprise, this book filled me in on so much more. The shear details of discovery that I had obviously slept through in high school blew me away. The way this author ties in what you already know, what you think you know, and what you are totally clueless on made listening to this book very enjoyable.
Admittedly, there were a few times when the book seemed to drone on a tiny, tiny bit but I found myself only facing this when there was a subject touched on that I wasn?t previously interested in (such as a bit of Geology). That, too, soon turned from a boring piece of the book into something very interesting (the details about Yellowstone and the ?Super Volcano? ideas).
I must say that if I were to recommend this book to anyone, it would probably help if they had a curiosity in Science and they weren?t terribly bored by some background on the scientists who discovered this or theorized that. I?d suggest the unabridged version, of course, but to help push someone (a student?) into a more curious approach to science, perhaps try the abridged version first.
Over all, I give it a 5 of 5 because I learned a lot, had a great time listening, and this is one of the few purchases I have made in recent years that I haven?t suffered from a neurotic, immediate, and enduring dose of ?buyer?s remorse?. This book was a lot of fun!
"The Only Book I reread imediatley after reading"
I cant say enough about this book! I was introduced to Bill Bryson while incarcerated. And might I just say that even hardened criminals could not get enough of this book. I made most of my money by renting out this book. The demand was so great that I had another copy mailed to me. I have since lent a copy to many friends, and have yet to have most of them returned. The only one which was returned was because that person bought their own copy so that they could highlight it. This book is infectious! My only regret is that I havent been able to aquire an illustrated version. This book does indeed feel like a short history of nearly everthing. But everyone I have ever ask about this book says that it only makes them want to know more about one or more of the topics in the book. That has been the case with me as well. I have gone back to school in order to learn more about the subject matter within the pages of this life altering book. Read this book, it will open new worlds and inlighten old ones
"abridged - unabridged"
I loved the abridged version so much I just had to get the unabridged version when it became available. The abridged version is a very good abridgement, probably contains enough detail for most, and Bill Bryson's narration of it is the icing on the cake for sure. The unabridged version offers a fuller explanation of many points and so exposes the listener to more stories and Bryson wit which is always enjoyable. Richard Matthews does a great job narrating although he's not exactly Bill Bryson, he's sounds a lot like him and is a good second choice. If you can't get enough of Bill Bryson, you're best bet is the unabridged version. You won't get bogged down with unnecessary scientific detail--it's all very enjoyable listening. If you just want to learn about the subject quickly, the abridged version is lots of fun.
"Fascinating; Perfect for Adult ADHD"
This book does something that few others do. It gives just enough information (without being too much) and makes it absolutely spellbinding. I don't want to know about cosmology, chemistry, and/or physics in minute detail, but I want a conversational knowledge of these and many other things scientific. Bryson provides that in an extremely entertaining, interesting manner. Although it is long, I whole-heartedly recommend the unabridged version.
"Engrossing and dazzling"
I am a scientist, and I feel that Bryson has a keen eye for what is important. His book is crammed with wonderful concepts and observations from a remarkable breadth of fields. It is always easy to understand, yet consistently mind-boggling. I personally found the stories of scientists' escapades captivating: it is so healthy to be reminded that science is a human endeavor. These stories of ruthlessness and heartbreak along the path of discovery are exactly the things that elevate this book above textbooks. Also, the narrator does a wonderful job of giving the author's words their intended voice, be it profound, tragic, or comic.
"Give it a try"
I never thought plate tectonics, atom smashing and trilobites could be so entertaining - there were times I actually chuckled. The author presents what could be a series of tedious lectures about dry subjects in a very understandable way. By using humor, he makes the subjects user-friendly without talking down to his audience.
I can't remember all the names mentioned and how to pronounce some of the terms used but I now look at clouds differently, am a little afraid of Yellowstone blowing up and think some scientists were really brave, creative and a little looney.
The narrator is great. In fact, I may purchase more books just because he narrates. I think he has a lot to do with my enjoyment of the book, capturing the tone I think the author intended.
I usually read fiction, particularly mysteries and thrillers but this was an excellent departure from that. I think anyone with a passing interest in how our world works would enjoy this book - not to mention discover things like: Newton pushed pointed objects into his eye sockets just to see what happened; heat is simply a matter of molecules banging into each other; Yellowstone is actually a volcano. Who knew!
"VERY worthwhile, even for the science reader"
Almost passed up this book based on a review which mentioned that frequent readers of lay science books wouldn't learn anything new---glad I didn't!
True, there were a couple sections that quoted books and ideas I was already familiar with, but Bryson's books encompasses SO much ground that there were also many areas which were new to me (in this level of detail) and they have actually encouraged me to seek out some of the books he refers to. In addition, like all of Bryson's books, his point of view is frequently hilarious, and always fun reading. An outstanding book.
"an all too"
I'm sorry for the folks who bought the abridged version of this title. Opting for Bryson abridged is pointless. His prose is already polished to a pearly economy.
If you can listen to the final 22 minutes of this book without cringing, crying, or resolving to affect change in the way all of us treat this magnificent and mysterious planet; you are a hard, hard case. With disciplined but entertaining prose, Bryson surveys the branches of science that explain who we are and how we got to wherever it is we are. Spectacular!
"A short history of science & scientists -- GREAT!"
I also read the abridged version first; very much enjoyed it, and enjoyed the unabridged version even more. From the beginnings of the universe, to the beginning of life, Bryson has surveyed the history of discovery and the current state of affairs; advising readers of what we know, what we think we know, and what we have no idea about. As a liberal arts major who dropped out of my first (and only) college physics class over 30 years ago, I found the information fascinating and the listen very enjoyable. It is done in chatty stories about not just the science, but the scientists. Who knew, for example, that Newton was apparently mad?
And, it is not just for adults. My 13 year old son, who just started 7th grade, is also listening to the book, and he very much likes it -- my only concern is that he will know more than his teachers by the end of it; and somehow get into trouble. Oh well.
The narrator is very good. Slight British accent is perfect, as the text has a few "Bristish-isms" which makes the whole more charming. While I can't say I listened to the whole 18 hours in one sitting, I can say I did look forward to my next listen. Truly a fascinating and accessible survey of scientific history. Great read.
"Completely entertaining"
If you like science and history and good documentaries on television, you will thoroughly enjoy this audiobook. The reading material itself is gold and really brought to life by the excellent narration of Richard Matthews. Funny, illuminating, inspiring and all encompassing, this audio book is very long yet never drags. I grabbed it on a whim, decided to test out a chapter to see how it was and sat transfixed for hours! Volcanism, dinosaurs, astronomy, anthropology, the human genome...it's as good as non-fiction audio gets.
There are no listener reviews for this title yet.


text:
But there is a form of joking that disguises itself as humor. It stings. It burns. It bites! This is called sarcasm and it can be painful. Sarcasm can be likened to humor on crack. Why? Because it is often destructive and addictive. It has a deceptive power. Sarcasm does considerable damage to those using it and its victims.
An example of sarcasm is when a person says, "'I can tell when you're lying because your lips are moving.' 'I don't mind you talking, as long as you don't mind me not listening,' 'Not all men are annoying, some are dead' or 'If I throw a stick will you leave?'" Funny? Maybe. But, ouch!
Speaking on The Science of Sarcasm, www.smithsonianmag.com says, "Sarcasm so saturates 21st-century America that according to one study of a database of telephone conversations, 23 percent of the time that the phrase 'yeah, right' was used, it was uttered sarcastically.
"Entire phrases have almost lost their literal meanings because they are so frequently said with a sneer. 'Big deal,' for example. When's the last time someone said that to you and meant it sincerely? 'My heart bleeds for you' almost always equals 'Tell it to someone who cares,' and 'Aren't you special?' means you aren't."
The online article went on to say, "Sarcastic statements are sort of a true lie. You're saying something you don't literally mean, and the communication works as intended only if your listener gets that you're insincere. Sarcasm has a two-faced quality: it's both funny and mean. This dual nature has led to contradictory theories on why we use it."
Although some view it as a polite version of criticism, the consensus is that sarcasm often causes unnecessary confusion, frustration, pain and is usually accompanied by negative attitudes, such as disapproval, contempt, scorn, and ridicule. It's like the person is saying, "You seem happy. Let's see what I can do to change that!"
The book, "Reading People," by Dr. Jo-Ellan Dimitrius and Mark Mazzarella, said, "Cutting and harsh, or mild and funny, sarcasm says a tremendous amount about a person. It speaks of anger, hostility, bitterness, jealousy, frustration and dissatisfaction with life. Someone who resorts to sarcastic remarks, no matter how charmingly they are delivered, is saying, 'Watch out, I bite.' With few exceptions, sarcasm is a cruel and insensitive way to get a laugh or make a point at someone else's expense. Always be alert to someone who favors this method of communication."
The Bible acknowledges the use of what we today call "sarcasm," at Proverbs 12:18: "There is one whose foolish words cut like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." — New Life Version. Another Bible translation, the New Living Translation reads: "Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing." This is not to say that all sarcasm should rightly be labeled as sinister or with malice.
Penny Pexman, a University of Calgary psychologist who has been studying sarcasm for more than 20 years, said when things go sour, a sarcastic comment is a way to simultaneously express our expectation as well as our disappointment. When a downpour spoils a picnic and you quip, 'We picked a fine day for this,' you're saying both that you had hoped it would be sunny and you're upset about the rain."
There is one account in the Bible where the prophet Elijah appeared to use a form of sarcasm or mockery to convey his contempt for the false god Baal when Baal worshipers entered a contest with Elijah to see who was the true God at 1Kings 18:22-40.
Verse 27 said, "At noon, Elijah began making fun of them. 'Pray louder!' he said. 'Baal must be a god. Maybe he's day-dreaming or using the toilet or traveling somewhere. Or maybe he's asleep, and you have to wake him up.'" — Contemporary English Version.
Because of his zeal for true worship, Elijah was favored among God's prophets and was never criticized for mocking these worshipers of the false god Baal. I would imagine a lot of ancient servants of the Almighty God Jehovah will remember that great day with awe and possibly, a sense of humor.
Generally speaking, if you choose to use sarcasm in business or in personal relationships, you will likely be running a risk. If you use it at all, consider using it sparingly.
More importantly, keep in mind the words of Philippians 4:8, "From now on, brothers and sisters, if anything is excellent and if anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things: all that is true, all that is holy, all that is just, all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise." — Common English Bible.
Perhaps Jesus gave the best reason to watch what we say at Matthew 12:36-37, "I can guarantee that on judgement day people will have to give an account of every careless word they say. By your words you will be declared innocent, or by your words you will be declared guilty." — GOD'S WORD Translation.


text:
Contains the keyword Texas--Race relations--History--20th century
Before Brown: Heman Marion Sweatt, Thurgood Marshall, and the long road to justice. Vol 1st. Austin: University of Texas Press; 2010.
"In this engrossing, well-researched book, Gary M. Lavergne tell the fascinating story of Heman Sweatt's struggle for justice and how it became a milestone for the civil rights movement."


text:
ACT Today! SOS Program
ACT Today! SOS is a program dedicated to supporting the immediate and imperative needs of those impacted with autism. ACT Today! Grant Programs established in 2005 do provide access to vital and effective treatments for autism through our quarterly grant cycles.
AutismCares supports individuals with autism and their families during natural disasters and other catastrophic life events.
Autism Care and Treatment Today!
ACT Today! is a nonprofit501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to increase access to effective autism treatments. Our goal is to help facilitate treatment by providing the necessary resources including funding, information and referrals to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and their families.
Autism Consortium: Raising A Child with an ASD
All too often, parents of children with ASD incur unexpected and immense out-of-pocket costs for treatments and services. Through the generosity of foundations and, sometimes, public funding, applicable grants might help parents offset these costs. The Autism Consortium has compiled a list of grant opportunities. Be sure to read each option carefully and understand that specific criteria pertain to each.
Autism Escapes
Autism Escapes will serve as an Angel Network for families of children with autism. Its primary purpose is to arrange air travel on private jets for families in need of medical care for their children.
Disabled Children's Relief Fund
Disabled Children's Relief Fund (DCRF), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization provides disabled children with assistance to obtain wheelchairs, orthopedic braces, walkers, lifts, hearing aids, eyeglasses, medical equipment, physical therapy, and surgery.
Edwin Phillips Foundation
Edwin Phillips Foundation Provides grants directly to families who have children with disabilities, including physical and cognitive challenges. Funds can be used for more expensive projects or services such as assistive technology or home modifications.
First Hand Foundation
First Hand Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps children with health-related needs when insurance and other financial resources have been exhausted. Our mission is to directly impact the health status of a young life.
Friends of Disabled Adults and Children, Too!
FODAC is a statewide and national provider of home health care equipment—mobility aids and daily living devices for people with disabilities and the newly injured.
Fund It Forward
Fund It Forward is a volunteer run non-profit organization which believes that parents of special needs children are strong, willing and able to endure daily struggles. Our Mission is to ease the burdens of families with special needs children by raising money for adaptive equipment not covered by health insurance.
Funding for iPads
Looking for an iPad? The Autism Society can help! Courtesy of the Autism Society's contact center, Autism Source, they have put together a list of organizations that offer grants and other assistance for individuals with autism who would like to purchase an iPad.
In addition, Special Needs Apps for Kids has also put together a list of iPad funding opportunities.
Generation Rescue Family Grant Program
This program's grants are designed to provide support to individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders. Each grant recipient will receive: two doctor visits with a specially-trained physician who treats autism; vitamins, minerals and supplements for 90 days; a Generation Rescue Rescue mentor; dietary intervention training.
Helping Hand Program: National Autism Association
The Helping Hand Program provides families with financial assistance in getting necessary biomedical treatments, supplements and therapy services for their autistic child.
Joey's Fund Family Grant Program
Joey's Fund Family Grant Program accepts grant applications from families in New England (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire & Maine) that are in need of financial assistance for their family member(s) with autism. Families can apply for up to $3,000 through the program. You may apply to use the money for anything that directly improves the life of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Lend4Health facilitates community-based, interest-free "micro-loans" as a creative funding option for individuals seeking optimal health. Currently, Lend4Health is facilitating loans for the "biomedical" treatment of children and adults with autism spectrum disorders. Other health issues may be included on Lend4Health in the future.
Loud Mommy
Our goal is to provide iPad's for families in need. Finances and child's condition are the deciding factors for Loud Mommy. Applicants will be reviewed by a committee. Supplies will be limited to donations received.
Modest Needs
Modest Needs is a non-profit organization with a unique, threefold mission: to responsibly provide short-term financial assistance to individuals and families in temporary crisis, to lessen the burden of state and federal agencies charged with the care of the truly indigent by doing everything in our power to stop these at-risk households from slipping into the cycle of poverty, despite the burden posed by an unanticipated, emergency expense; and to promote compassion and generosity on the part of individual persons living in the United States and Canada.
MyGOAL Inc. Enrichment Grant
MyGOAL Inc. is proud to offer a grant program that will enable families to take advantage of socialization and educational opportunities designed for individuals with special needs. The purpose of the grants is to enrich the body, mind, and spirit of individual(s) with Autism Spectrum Disorders, resulting in a higher quality of life.
The Olive You Foundation
Our purpose is to provide grants to help children who have speech and language disorders. Our goal is to allow children with communication difficulties the chance to better express themselves. The Olive You Foundation strives to provide children the opportunity to receive assistance to help improve their communication.
Patient Advocate Foundation
Find out what is available in your community. Information available on: Children's Health Insurance Programs, Community Referral, Disability Services, Financial Assistance, Food Stamps, Health Care, Insurance, Legal, Medication/Drug Assistance and Special Needs.
Small Steps in Speech
Small Steps in Speech assists children with speech and language disorders by funding supplemental therapies and treatments for individuals as well as grants to charitable organizations who serve children with communicative disorders. Our goal is to give children the chance to better express themselves in the world in which we live.
Social Security and SSI Disability Claims
We help individuals WIN Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) benefits. Our informative website provides a wealth of information and support in obtaining SSDI and SSI claims. We have been disability advocates for nearly 40 years and provide an easy and effective way to help individuals successfully obtain disability awards.
Talk About Curing Autism: Family Scholarship Program
The TACA Family Scholarship Program was developed to help families who are pursuing treatment for their children with autism, but are struggling to find the funding. We understand how difficult it is to stretch the family budget to include things like, DAN doctors, independent evaluations or conference registration. It is our desire to provide limited financial assistance to qualified families.
TRICARE: Enhanced Access to Autism Services Demonstration
Under the Enhanced Access to Autism Services Demonstration, TRICARE covers Educational Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorders for qualifying military families. The demonstration is available in the 50 states and DC to beneficiaries who are 18 months or older, registered or in the process of registering in ECHO, and diagnosed with either Autistic Disorder (AD), Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDDNOS), Asperger's Disorder (AS) or Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD).
United Healthcare Children's Foundation
The United Healthcare Children's Foundation embraces and supports the concept of facilitating access to health-related services that have the potential to significantly enhance either the clinical condition or the quality of life of the child and that are not fully covered by the available commercial health insurance. This support is in the form of a medical grant to be used for medical services not covered or not completely covered by commercial health benefit plans.
Autism Speaks does not provide medical or legal advice or services. Rather, Autism Speaks provides general information about autism as a service to the community. The information provided on this website is not a recommendation, referral, or endorsement of any resource, therapeutic method, or service provider and does not replace the advice of medical, legal, or educational professionals. Autism Speaks has not validated and is not responsible for any information or services provided by third parties. You are urged to use independent judgment and request references when considering any resource associated with the provision of services related to autism.


text:
In an effort to build competitions that someone can actually win, I have built this scenario. This competition is based on the Tug of War concept posted by another poster.
Here are the rules:
1. No more than 6 wheels (powered or unpowered)
2. No direct interaction with the opposition's contraption.
3. To win you must connect to the brick and pull it completely clear of the pink zone.
4. No more than 2 connections to the brick.
5. No more than 40 sticks.
6. Winner must clear the brick in under 2000 ticks or it is a tie. All ties go to the previous winner.
7. Your contraption must be built outside of the pink zone (only your connectors to the brick are allowed inside the zone)
8. Contraption must be all one piece (all parts must be connected).
9. You cannot build a ramp to use gravity to help power your contraption.
Here is the scenario and a first battle:
First Battle


text:
Info: Your browser does not accept cookies. To put products into your cart and purchase them you need to enable cookies.
Cover - #4055 for Grillin Pro 4000, 4001Cover - #8080, Duo Grill and Trio (3-n-1) Grill
Product Info
Cover - #5555, Model 2121,1224,2222 & 2828
Protect your BBQ grill with our new and improved custom-fit cover made from polyester and a PVC lining to help fight the elements! This cover will fit the Smokin' Pro Grill Model 1224, Pro Deluxe Grill Model 2222, the Super Pro Model 2121 and the Deluxe Griller Model 2828 with or without Side Fire Box.
- Extends Grill Lifetime
- Weather Resistant Polyester and PVC lining
- Protects Grill from Sun, Rain, Birds, etc.
A must-have for all Char-Griller owners!
Large Grill Cover model 5555 (formerly 4848) fits a 30" barrel grill.


text:
Dark Parables: The Exiled Prince Collector's Edition
Many centuries ago, a princess kissed a frog and transformed him into a handsome prince. Unlike the fable, they never ended happily ever after. It is rumored that the Frog Prince is still alive and now roams the deserted path in the Black Forest, capturing unsuspecting visitors. When the chancellor's daughter goes missing, you are sent to investigate her disappearance. Journey through the deserted forest in Dark Parables – The Exiled Prince, an eerie Hidden Object Adventure game!
This is a special Collector's Edition release full of exclusive extras you won't find in the standard version. As a bonus, Collector's Edition purchases count toward three stamps on your Monthly Game Club Punch Card!
The Collector's Edition includes:
- Bonus Adventure
- Immersive atmosphere
- Fantastic gameplay
- Extra Puzzles
Game System Requirements:
- CPU: 2.0 GHz (INTEL ONLY)
- Hard Drive: 521 MB
Game Manager System Requirements:
- Browser: Safari 4.0 or later
Buy this game Get 3 punches
The Big Fish Guarantee:
- Quality tested and virus free.
- No ads, no adware, no spyware.
Recently Viewed Games
Reviews at a Glance
Dark Parables: The Exiled Prince Collector's Edition
Customer Reviews
The Windows logo is a trademark of Microsoft, Inc.


text:
— Woody Allen
Actor, writer and comedian
(b. Dec. 1, 1935)
An untold number of years, perhaps decades, have passed since climbing my last tree.
In boyhood, I did what boys do best. I climbed trees and lots of them. I can't remember ever falling from one. Maybe that's why I kept climbing.
Somebody once told me it's human nature to repeat those adventures in life at which we are successful. Sound reasoning. That somebody was a smart fellow.
In the growing years, I had no fear of trees. The bigger the better, I always told my elders. Those same grownups, much the wiser than this tree-worshipping lad, always offered sage advice during my ascent.
"Ricky, don't you fall from up there!" came Mom's reminder from below.
Had I been a child fond of hickory switches or Dad's leather belt, I might have responded, "Would you rather I fall from down there?" Punk kids say punk stuff to their parents in the height of overconfidence. It's a wonder I ever made it to adolescence.
And then, there was always Dad's wit. As I monkeyed my way up one limb after another, I could always count on my father's encouragement.
"Rick-Rack, I'll be over here choppin' wood when you fall," Dad would advise. "Just crawl on over an' I'll help you up."
"OK!" I gasped, while bear-hugging a branch thicker than my torso. At that tender age, I recognized facetiousness. I just couldn't spell it.
The beloved voices of my late parents returned 50 years later on this Saturday afternoon in midsummer as I stood below the giant maple in my backyard, peering up toward the clouds at the brown leaves of the dead branch that had tormented me for months.
Not exactly lost in the canopy's surrounding sea of green, this disgustingly lifeless limb had broken away from the tree trunk during a spring storm, but instead of plummeting to earth — as such dismembered appendages are supposed to do — it became entangled with other branches, and here it rested seemingly miles from the ground. In anatomical terms, it stood out like a sore thumb.
Frustrated at seeing it every time I looked up, I plotted my action. It was a simple strategy, really. Just climb the darned tree and shove the cantankerous branch to its inevitable doom.
Step one was getting to the bottom limb. Its reach from the ground was twice my height. I considered making a vertical jump like in my basketball years, but the only good from that would have been a vision of chuckles from the neighbors.
Not to worry. This is why God, and Lowe's, gave us 8-foot stepladders.
After retrieving mine from the shed, I found that balancing the fiberglass tool of trade was half the battle on the slope we call lawn. And, I probably violated the ladder's top-step rule, but no safety managers were in sight and OSHA has little jurisdiction in backyards.
With a heave and subsequent ho from ladder to tree, I straddled the lower limb and postured myself in statuesque form much like TV viewers of long ago would have expected from the Lone Ranger atop Silver. Scouring the limbs around me, I found no trace of Tonto — just an edgy squirrel a few branches over whom I dared to try and knock over the ladder. Obviously a rodent with little game, he instead scurried higher into the maple.
"Coward," I muttered.
By now understanding why my build was unfit for cowboy ways — the crotch was hurting, OK? — I precariously made it to my feet, balancing like an Olympian while bumping my head on an unseen limb above. It was a painful thump, but on this day I was man — a burly man focused on one target: the ugly brown limb.
Using old "Tarzan" and "Jungle Jim" movies as my standard, I looked from branch to branch, testing a few for strength with one hand while bracing ... for continued life ... with the other. Determining a path probably never traveled by anything with two legs, I launched into the climb in a fashion worthy of K2, yet just shy of Everest.
By loose calculations from below, the dead limb above lay somewhere just south of the stratosphere. It was difficult to see from within the tree's interior because of all the vegetation. So I kept the faith and journeyed on, and up.
In true voyager form, I bumped my head thrice more, the last of which drew blood. It served only to deepen my resolve. A bruise here, a scratch there and one slight slip of the heel reminded me of the mortality of man. Hugging this maple with a degree of affection previously reserved for only my wife, it was then I saw an angel and her set of lovely white wings through the foliage. Later, I was to realize it was just a goose flying over the treetop from a neighboring lake.
But it inspired me to climb further.
Only when I looked down again did I grasp the full meaning of misstep. The grass seemed small from this view. And the house needed new shingles. The top of our minivan was splotched in white by unthinking birds and a neighbor six yards down was riding a toy mower.
With the arrival of my first nosebleed, which actually was just a runny nose from ragweed allergies, I figured I was high enough. A couple of clouds were within arm's length and that pesky squirrel was now looking up, not down.
Peering about, I grimaced. The ugly brown limb was nowhere to be seen. Its disappearance defied accepted logic. One minute it was there. The next it was gone. So I looked down, and there it was. I had climbed too high. Because its ugliness was veiled by the thick greenery, I had passed it by.
Descending four limbs, maybe five, I came eye to eye with my prey.
Grabbing the gnarled, broken end with one hand, I shoved. It didn't budge. Repositioning to improve my leverage, I tried again — a little movement, but no surrender.
Wrapping both arms around a higher limb like Cheetah, I kicked the stubby end with my tennis shoes. I kicked and I kicked and I kicked. Gasping for air — oxygen was scarce at these heights — I rested. So did the limb.
And then it happened.
Hearing the rustling of leaves, the sag of wood, and the crack and pop of peeling bark, I checked each hand grip and both footholds. All were secure so the noise wasn't mine. Looking ahead, I watched in fascination as the offending limb drooped, slid and then plunged — all the way to earth. The full sequence, which lasted only seconds, came in a celebratory, slow motion.
In quiet fatigue, I sighed. Yet it was a manly sigh. Mission accomplished. Task complete. All was made right in this kingdom of man.
Reality then smacked man right across the forehead like a V8.
He still had to get down. And the ladder was gone.


text:
See more: Toy Vehicles
Farm Animal Train Set
You can bet the farm that you little one will love our Farm Animal Train Set! This wooden train set was handcrafted in the USA and made of locally sourced, sustainably harvested maple wood and coated with non-toxic dyes and finishes. This nine-piece accessory set is compatible with our Letter Name Trains and Ultimate Town Train Set as well as Brio, Thomas The Tank, Plan Toys, and most other wooden train systems.
- Recommended for children 3 years and older
- Made of solid maple wood locally sourced and sustainably harvested in New England
- Coated with non-toxic dyes and finishes
- Measures approximately 3" x 2" each
- Includes 9 pieces: cat, cow, dog, horse, duck, pig, tractor, and two trees
- Handcrafted in Vermont by our friends at Maple Landmark
- Made in the USA