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Poking the Bear
The US stock market started into a new correction pattern on the 3rd of July and that condition remains the same today despite some marginal evidence to the contrary. This may prove to be just another brief decline before blasting out to new highs or the beginning of something more significant. Either way, those interested in preservation of capital probably need to consider making some changes toward defense.
New High for the Dow, New Lows for Small Caps?
This subject has been kicked around the media for several months now and I've heard all the justifications for why small caps are under-performing. Most notably, the primary excuse is that they did so darn well in 2013, that we should all expect then to experience some profit taking. Maybe. But in my years of experience, small caps under perform for one reason and that is that the market as a whole has a growing sense of concern for holdings that carry larger risks of loss or concerns over liquidity. Small caps are to large caps as high yield bonds are to treasury bonds. When perceived risks increase, larger investors cut out of the riskier assets first. As the Dow made an all time new high last week (with a whopping 3% gain YTD), small caps quietly lost money again, made a new low and are now negative YTD. Excuses aside, this is not a good thing.
High Yield Sell Signal (early)
Speaking of canaries in the coal mine, as of today, we did get our first very early sell signal for high yield corporate bonds. Again, this is early and based only on the most volatile of our high yield corporate bond holdings but it does appear to be a solid sell signal. The last time we made a trade for our High Yield bond allocations was solid BUY on the 16th of September last year. Today we cut our more volatile high yield bond holdings down by 50% and sent the proceeds to cash. Several of our other high yield positions in All Season, Freeway High Income and Retirement Income are also getting close to sells but we'll wait for the actual signal – as always. Again, in my experience, when high yield corporate bonds sell off ahead of the broad stock market indices, the market usually follows lower in the next couple weeks. Another warning shot for those who are paying attention.
Jump in Volatility
Last Thursday (7/17/2014) consistent with both items above, one of our short term market trend indicators based on the rate of change in the VIX index also tripped to a sell signal as the VIX jumped almost 32% in a single day. The VIX is widely misunderstood and we do not trade on its absolute value but rather watch the change in this indicator off extremes as a sign of quickly shifting sentiment among options traders. This is a useful indicator typically only at market tops and market bottoms but relatively useless in between. The VIX is a market measure of volatility but more importantly, a way for us to measure the appetite for risk insurance. A rising level means options traders want to protect themselves and visa-versa. For weeks, the VIX has been trading at a historically low level (less than 11), like we have seen in the final months of most extended bull markets. Low volatility is a sign that investors are fat and happy, worried about very little in terms of market risk. In fact, these are the very times when investors begin to think that investing is rather easy. The Do-It-Yourself investor comes out of the closet and quits his tiresome day job. Cash is deployed in mass as it seems the coast is finally clear. They forget that markets can be brutal because it's been so long since anyone felt any real pain. They often look only at the tiny expense of things and become complacent about the real costs of losing one's capital. Last week, without much fanfare, the VIX shot vertically higher off a multi-year low level as I hear and witness all of the above. Someone just poked the bear. He now has one eye open and he's a bit hungry. Now if we can all just sing a quiet lullaby, perhaps he'll hit the snooze button. Or, perhaps we should tighten up all sell stops on current positions (wink).
Strongest Part of the Presidential Cycle Directly Ahead
Finishing on a positive note, we remain very open to the possibility that the current correction could be just another great buying opportunity ahead of one of the strongest periods in the presidential cycle. The historical averages of all presidential cycles shows general weakness for stocks into the end of the current quarter followed by 4 consecutive quarters of rather incredible gains (5-7% each quarter). A big part of me intends to be involved in that kind of uptrend if it happens but I also want to survive the current quarter if it turns out to be a bit bloody ahead of that surge. For the record, 2013 was not supposed to be the blow out year that it was as dictated by this same cycle. The S&P 500 gained nearly 30%. The cycle says 2013 should have been a low single digit year. Are all the "presidential cycle" gains behind us or still in front of us?
Do You Have a Risk Management System in Place?
Given the current weakness in the market, combined with a growing list of technical warning flags coming off a very long period of low volatility, it would seem natural for us to see some sort of significant "unexpected" decline in stock prices in the weeks ahead. However, this same decline, like many in the past, could be one of the last great buys ahead of another very profitable market cycle. How much of a loss can you tolerate to stick it out? Should you wait to see what happens or act now? What will tell you when to get back in? Two weeks ago, I spoke of our risk management systems ("Risk Controls"). If you don't have a system that answers these questions, then you should work to develop one quickly or pay someone who does have a system. Not having a risk management system in place for your investments after a 190% gain in the stock market over 5 years is not an option.
Keep both hands on the wheel and have a safe week.
Sam Jones


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The values of Liaison Landscapes revolve around a few basic principles; integrity to clientele, respect for each other and all job-space, pride in our work to ensure that our professionalism is only matched by our craftsmanship.
The cornerstone to our success is building enduring client relationships through a top tier customer service experience, highly active project management, and the commitment of attention to detail, all while remaining on time & on budget. Daily implementation of these values are exactly why Liaison Landscapes provides a service experience that is unparalleled in the contracting world.

subset: commoncrawl


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I know you all will be so excited to hear that Adrian is back for this week's post in the Summer Entertaining Series and he's got perhaps the best recipe to date.
Hi friends. I'm back with another recipe. Now we have an entree: Tacos de carne asada. We call them tacos de carne asada, but they're not really asada (which means "grilled") because we make them on the stove. But that's what we call them.
Here's what you need:
- Two pounds of taco meat (beef). In Mexican grocery stores, it will be labeled "Carne para tacos".
- One bottle or can of your favorite beer. I usually use Corona.
- Seasoned salt (to your liking) or you can use one packet of Goya's seasoning called "Achiote y Culantro".
- Cilantro
- Limes
- Salsa
- Corn tortillas
- For the sides: cucumbers and radishes
Now, here's how to cook the taco meat:
1. Place the meat in a frying pan (at least two inches deep) and turn the heat on medium-high.
2. Add your seasoned salt or seasoning to the meat and mix it around.
3. Now add half to three-quarters of the beer to the meat. Mix it around. Leave the heat on medium-high until all the meat turns brown.
4. Once the meat is brown, turn the heat up to high so that all the liquid evaporates.
To prepare your tacos:
1. Now that your meat is ready, wash and chop the cilantro, cucumbers and radishes.
2. Warm up the tortillas by heating them on a skillet. (Do not heat them in the microwave.)
3. Place your tortilla on a plate and fill it with taco meat, cilantro, salsa and squeeze a bit of lime juice on to it.
4. Enjoy!
I hope you enjoy your tacos! I'll be back next week with my last post in the series!
For those of you who have just found us recently, click the photos below for links to the other posts in this series:
Adrian's Summer Entertaining Series: Tacos
Labels: Adrian, goodies, Summer Entertaining Series
6 comments:
Great recipe! And I completely agree->Do not heat them in the microwave. Nothing like a tortilla warmed on a comal!ReplyDelete
Yum! I must try this.ReplyDelete
Yummmmmm!!! I can't wait for the next time Adrian cooks for us!!ReplyDelete
I'd rather just read your blogs and pretend I'm having these amazing summer parties! :)ReplyDelete
your blog is just...stunning! a visual dream! it is so beautiful. great design and typography! :) i am now following. and i love your recipe here. i have recently fell in love with tacos and i should start making my own!ReplyDelete
Looks Delicious! Yum! - love your blog!ReplyDelete
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HELP Adult Services would not be able to provide the quality in-home care and used medical equipment at a reduced cost, without the help of our volunteers and those who donate used equipment.
These generous donations make it possible for us to assist those individuals who desire to remain independent and in the comfort of their own homes.
Help us Empower Lives…One Person at a Time.


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The following is a list of factors that affect the cost of a data entry project. If you would like a quick quote, you can use this as an outline and inquire through the contact button – or just give us a call.
Data Entry Costs – Main Factors
1. The source we are keying data from – paper or image
2. How the data is presented – handwritten or printed? Handwritten data is more expensive as it slows the keying and/or verification time
3. The location consistency of the data fields in the form to be keyed. Data that is always in the same location will be less expensive than data that has to be searched for
4. Turnaround time + size can affect cost. For example, a large scale data entry project that also requires a quick turnaround time may increase the overall costs. The more concentrated resources a DE service provider must devote to one project; the more likely it affects the turnaround time on another – which affects labor planning and acquisition. We have, on average, between 100-200 FTE operators processing data & forms on a daily basis throughout a usual year
5. Delivery of output back to the customer can also affect costs. Example: documents shipped back to you via our drivers or a freight company may cost more than purely electronic data. Picking up the forms – depending on the distance and how often, can increase the cost of the data entry project
6. Imaging – if imaging of the forms is required first, document preparation costs may come into play, depending on how involved it is
7. If you would like disposal of your original records, we have two options available. The NAID registered option is free. The NAID certified option has a cost of $2.75/box for destruction of your forms
Our rates are set by keystroke, record, or the number of data fields that need captured. It all comes down to the actual keystroke estimate for the entire job. Even when charging by record or by field – this is based on the estimated average number of keystrokes that would need entered for each.


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How to Talk to Your Kids About Sexual Consent in the Wake of the Stanford Rape Case
The Stanford rape case — in which a university athlete was charged with sexually assaulting an unconscious woman behind a dumpster — has made headlines globally, and as parents, it might be easy to categorize the events as "adult" in nature . . . a topic too sensitive to broach with our children.
Yet, the anonymous victim is someone's daughter, and the perpetrator — convicted on three felony counts — is someone's son. Although there's no easy way to determine if it was the way Brock Turner was raised that led him to believe it was OK to perform an egregious act of sexual assault, the cavalier remarks made by his parents call into question what we should be teaching our children — what values we should instill in them when it comes to sex, boundaries, and consent.
Rebecca Branstetter, a child and adolescent psychologist, believes this tragic event marks an opportunity for parents to educate their kids — at every age.
"Parents can often be uncomfortable bringing up topics such as sexuality and consent out of the blue, especially if their parents didn't ever talk to them about such topics," Branstetter tells POPSUGAR. "Parents do not have to wait until their children are old enough to be thinking about sex to bring up issues of consent, boundaries, and healthy sexuality."
So where does one begin? There is no minimum age limit when it comes to teaching these types of lessons, Branstetter says. Here's what she recommends you start teaching your kids at each key stage of their lives.
Young Children
- Discuss their bodies openly.
Even when your children are young, you can start to discuss their bodies. Branstetter's simplest advice to follow? "Use correct terminology when describing private parts," she recommends.
- Teach them that their bodies are their own and no one else's.
That includes you: "Ask your child for permission to clean their private parts and explain that you are asking permission because their bodies belong to them," Branstetter says. "If they say no to you cleaning their private parts for them, have them do it themselves. These are the seeds of learning about consent."
School-Aged Kids
- Teach them to ask a friend for a hug before giving one.
Those in grade school can handle somewhat more sophisticated concepts of consent, embedded in a larger discussion about respecting each other's bodies and body safety.
"Parents can talk with their children about keeping personal space, respecting when others do not want to be touched, and being comfortable telling others when they do not want to be touched," Branstetter notes. "For example, teach your child to ask if a friend wants a hug before giving one, and if the friend declines, give an alternative, such as a high five or waving goodbye."
- Don't force them to hug or kiss relatives when they don't want to.
You might think you are teaching your kids respect when mandating that they kiss their grandmother goodbye, but that's actually a bad message to send, and in the worst cases, it can leave them vulnerable to and more accepting of sexual abusers.
Branstetter maintains: "Don't force your kids to hug or kiss relatives. Rather, ask them how they would like to say hello or goodbye."
- Focus on the importance of not having any secrets.
Another important concept to discuss is body safety. Instead of discussions about "good touch" and "bad touch," or "safe" or "unsafe" people, parents can talk about how we don't keep body secrets.
"This removes the burden of a child having to decide if someone is being inappropriate or not, which can go beyond their skills," Branstetter tells us. "Instead, teach them that if anyone ever asks them to keep a secret about touching their bodies or having them touch someone else's body, they should tell you right away and they will not be in trouble."
Tweens and Teens
- Have the stereotypical sex talk — but include the importance of consent.
During these adolescent years, parents can broaden the discussion to concepts of sexuality and sex. Discussing changing bodies, crushes and sexual feelings, and ways to consent to or decline sex should be a part of the dialogue.
- Explain what role alcohol may play in sexual scenarios.
"Parents can also discuss how alcohol impairs people's decisions to consent or know if someone is consenting, but ultimately, actions under the influence of alcohol are not exempt from responsibility," Branstetter says. "Again, parents may not always feel comfortable with the discussion, but if they don't teach their kids, then chances are their friends and the media will, and the messages will be rife with misinformation."
Boys vs. Girls
In the wake of an insensitive letter released by Turner's father, many on social media called into the question the way boys like the "all-star swimmer" are raised today.
Although there's certainly a need for parents of boys to take particular note of the circumstances, Branstetter thinks the topic is imperative for all kids, regardless of gender. "The case highlights the equal importance of having a conversation about consent with boys as well as girls," she says.
Kids With Questions About the Case Itself
Most of Branstetter's recommended talking points approach sexual consent generally, but in some cases, it's important that parents consider addressing aspects of the Stanford case itself.
"The younger the child, the less specific details need to be given," Brainstetter advises. "Young children do not need to know all of the gory details, but adolescents, who have access to the internet, might already know the details and have specific questions."
via Popsugar.com


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Colorado Custom Welding was able to fix this company's snow plow just in time for more snow to hit Colorado. Do you have something that needs to be welded. Contact us today at http://www.coloradocustomwelding.com or 303-596-2071
This staircase needed a custom railing to fit the unique design of the staircase in this vacation home in Glenwood Springs, CO.
Custom Vacation Home Railing by Colorado Custom Welding
Aside from metal window well covers, Colorado Custom Welding can make custom Lexan window well covers which can be used to help keep moisture out of basements.
Colorado Custom Welding Window Well Covers
See the difference? Colorado Custom Welding's window well covers
Check out the difference between pre made window well covers and custom window well covers made by Colorado Custom Welding. Our custom window well cover are made to exactly fit your window well and are NOT made with large gaps so you can be sure that your children's feet and your pets paws stay safe.
2014 brought Colorado Custom Welding to Glenwood Springs, CO to complete both an exterior and interior railing in this lovely vacation home.
Glenwood Springs Vacation Home Railing
A custom railing made for a Colorado Custom Welding customer on their outside deck allows for added beauty along with unbeatable durability.
Colorado Custom Welding Railing
Need a place for your dog to be outside? Check out our custom dog run that can made in any size. This dog run includes both an outside area and an insulated inside area. In this custom dog run there are also bars running along the bottom of the kennel to prevent digging if you have escape artist dog.


text: Thuraya's Travel Charger with EU/UK/Chinese plug types is a compact device that links your Thuraya XT to a mains socket for charging. It can be used regardless of whether the handset is switched off, on standby or during a call. The charging time of a Thuraya XT with a fully discharged battery is approximately 2 hours 25 minutes. The exchangeable plugs allow you to charge your Thuraya handset in most parts of the world.


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Jessica Ennis attended the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards on Sunday evening, which were held at the ExCel in London.
The gold-winning Olympian continued her run of wearing only British designers.
Her favourite brands are Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney, but last night she sported a wool and silk-blend Victoria Beckham gown with a black clutch, chunky watch and elegant necklace.
While the dress is definitely a winner, Ennis shouldn't have added the chunky watch to her arm, as it just doesn't match the elegance of the gown.
I have to give her props anyway: it's not every day you see an athlete looking ultra-feminine and red-carpet-worthy.
Credit: Getty


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Sofia to Bucharest
My first trip to Bucharest was amazing! We had planned to drive from my home in Sofia, Bulgaria to Bucharest for the weekend and although it wasn't my first time in Romania I was really looking forward to checking out the capital city.
The drive from Sofia to Bucharest is around 6 hours including some stopping time. Most of the roads are good and along the way there are plenty of service stations and cafes where you can stop for breaks. We took the route via Ruse in Bulgaria, which you can see on the map below.
This journey takes you over the Danube Bridge from Bulgaria to Romania, one of the two bridges that connect the countries. The bridge has a toll equal to around 6 EURO each way and you should make sure you have the relevant local currency to pay this fee on each side (Lei and Lev). We didn't have any Lei left when we were on our way back and we had to queue for ages to change some money as they wouldn't accept our Lev!
Also, when you enter Romania you need to go to the first petrol station and buy a road tax (Vignette) that you keep in the car. This is compulsory and not purchasing your Vignette could result in a huge fine if you are stopped by the police. I can't remember how much we paid but the weekly tax wasn't much at all, under 10 EURO I'm sure.
Once into Romania, we headed straight towards Bucharest. The roads were still good, although there were less services to stop along the way here. It wasn't a very long drive from the border and the roads only became busy when we entered the city.
We had booked a cheap hotel around 10kms from the city centre. I wasn't too worried about where we would stay as we had the car and I knew I wouldn't spend much time in the room. The hotel was City Hotel Bucharest and it cost 20 EURO per night. It was actually great value. Some rooms were in need of renovation (some had already been updated) but it was clean and had everything we needed.
I had made a rough plan of what I wanted to do which included taking the Free Bucharest Tour and visiting The Palace of the Parliament. We didn't have long, just two days but I wanted to see as much as possible! The Free Bucharest Tour is a walking tour of the city with a local guide so it's a great way to quickly see the sights and learn a little bit about the history and culture. The tours run every day at 10:30am and 18:00pm regardless of the weather and the meeting point is Unirii Square Park, in front of the Clock, just next to the fountains. It will take about 2 hours and some of the highlights of the tour include:
Stavropoleos Convent
Ruins of Vlad's Citadel
Manuc's Inn
Palace of Parliament
Revolution Spots
Victory Blvd.
All of which you'll learn more about during the tour! Remember, the walking tour is free so you can just tip your guide as a thank you at the end :)
At the end of your days in Bucharest you will be tired from all the walking but you'll be pleased to know this is the perfect place to relax in the evening. The city centre streets are alive with people sitting outside cafes, bars and restaurants in the evening and there's so much choice. You can take your pick of places and move from one to another to enjoy a few drinks and soak up the chilled atmosphere!


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#Hottestjobsintheworld - VW remains at full throttle!Blogs
Back again, before you knew it. The #Hottestjobsintheworld are here and ready for your applications. The five jobs listed below are that ones that have been attracting largest amount of attention and applications. Don't worry if you think that because these jobs are popular, there is no point in you applying, many of these companies want numerous graduates to fill several positions across their companies. Just remember to keep your applications and CVs relevant and appropriate to the company and role.
5. Wildlife Trust - Trainee Opportunities NEW!
The Wildlife Trust are looking for as many as nine graduates to join them in the Midlands, where they can work towards a Certificate in Work Based Environment Conservation. Graduates will get involved in projects that require them to learn skills and gain experience in practical habitat management, ecological surveying and the ability to engage with the public and volunteers. The role is looking for graduates to join them in Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Shropshire and Birmingham. This job is a real hit with nature lovers and is a new entry in the #Hottestjobsintheworld, after being on the site just a week.
3. BT - Graduate Business Programmes
The BT Graduate Business Programmes has been consistently present in the #Hottestjobsintheworld since the job went live. The telecommunications giant is a global player in new communication technology and graduates have been applying constantly for the business programme to make these technologies happen. The Programme could find graduates gaining skills in project management, marketing, business analysis, sales or client engagement.
1. Volkswagen - Graduate Schemes
Closing at the end of this week, it might finally be out of the top 5 #Hottestjobsintheworld. With a generous pay and impressive company car arrangement, it's understandable to see why the graduates are flocking to the role. The scheme has areas in an array of fields to suit any bright and driven graduate. The Volkswagen Group only specifies that they require the minimum of an Upper Second class degree and will be able to choose the best and most passionate out of their applicants.
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ISLAMABAD, Jun 2 (APP): The country has received valuable remittances
amounting to over $4.83 billion during July-April 2015-16 through workforce
in Saudi Arabia, the country which is contributing a major share of remittances.
According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2015-16, the country received the
inflows worth $3.54 billion from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), registering a
largest increase from any major remittance-sending country during the last nine
Remittances from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the
United Kingdom reached at $1.97 billion and $2.02 billion, respectively in
July-April 2015-16.
The government is considering different proposals to substantially boost
foreign remittances and foreign exchange reserves. The Gulf region is to be
effectively tapped by exporting the maximum manpower.
The government is expecting good opportunities of manpower export during
the events of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Moreover, massive new construction plans in
Saudi Arabia will also provide opportunities for Pakistani man power.
Like other Gulf States, Qatar stands prominent in offering a number of
incentives to Pakistan due to its regional importance.
As Qatar is going to host the FIFA 2022 World Cup and allocated a huge
budget for this purpose.
It will require substantial infrastructural development where Pakistani
engineers and labour force can effectively play their role in the development
which will not only decrease unemployment rate in the country but increase
Saudi Arabia; largest source of remittances with over $4.83 bln
ISLAMABAD, Jun 2 (APP): The country has received valuable remittances


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Opinion or persuasive writing can be an excellent opportunity to teach about activism and real-world social justice issues in the classroom. This blog will provide you with ideas for how to modify your opinion-writing unit to include a social justice component, while meeting academic standards. Have Students Write About a
HEART has partnered with Collegio San Carlo, a high school in Milan, Italy for the past several years teaching a human rights elective via computer. Last spring was the first time we included a social media service project as a means of observing International Human Rights Day.* This past spring
Do you know where your clothes were made? How about who harvested the food you ate this morning? Were the workers treated fairly? Paid a good wage? Do you know if they were adults or children? Sadly, if you ask the vast majority of people those very same questions, the
Oppressive child labor is one of the many important issues that we teach our students about through our 10-lesson curriculum. Children who work under oppressive child labor get paid little money, work long hours in dangerous conditions, and often are unable to get an education. When most people think


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Happy Friday! Here's today's roundup. As always, click the photos for the link.
1. Prudent Baby has a great roundup of various nursery bedding tutorials.
Leo on the Loose are super cute - and instant plant markers, hello!
How About Orange did a great roundup of various bag/purse tutorials here!
5. The gak from Make It and Love It would make for a great rainy day project!


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Ph.D., University of Califorina, Los Angeles
Religion in Modern South and Southeast Asia; History of Modern South Asia; History of Modern Southeast Asia; Islamic Connections in the Indian Ocean; Sufism in Early Modern and Modern South Asia.
PhD dissertation (2013):
"Pawangs on the Malay Frontier: Miraculous Intermediaries of Rice, Ore, Beasts and Guns" (Attained the Thomas Lifka Best Dissertation Prize).
Islamic Connections: Muslim Societies in South and Southeast Asia (edited with Michael Feener), Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 2009.
"Sex to the Next-World: Esoteric Science for the Penis-bearing Mualaa in Shi'ism in South East Asia. 'Alid Piety and Secration Constructions, Michael Feener and Chiara Formaichi, eds, London: Hurst, forthcoming.
'Making Medinas in the East: Islamist Connections and Progressive Islam,' Islamic Connections: Studies of Muslim South and Southeast Asia, Feener and Sevea, eds., Singapore: ISEAS, 2009.
'Islamist Intellectual Space: 'True Islam' and the Ummah in the East,' Asian Journal of Social Science, Volume 35, Numbers 4-5, 2007, pp. 575-607.
'Islamist Questioning of Colonialism: Towards an Understanding of the Islamist Oeuvre,' Third World Quarterly, Volume 28, Issue 7, 2007, pp. 1375-1399.


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Custom Error Pages in Hosting
You shall be able to set up personalized error pages for each of your domains or subdomains. The feature is supported by all hosting solutions that we provide, so when you log in to the Hepsia Control Panel and go to the Hosted Domains section, you may click on the Edit button for a domain/subdomain and in the pop-up that"ll show up, you can pick the type of error page that should show up - a default one from our system, a standard Apache web server page or a personalized one. For the aforementioned option, you have to assign the URL to the page, so when you use personalized pages, you need to upload the files inside your Internet hosting account first. One other way is to use an .htaccess file placed in the domain or subdomain folder with a line for every error type. The correct syntax can be located in our Knowledge Base, so you can use this function even if you do not have any previous experience.
Custom Error Pages in Semi-dedicated Hosting
Including your pages for any of the four error types to any Internet site hosted in a semi-dedicated server account with us shall be very simple and will not take more than a few clicks. When you upload the files inside your account, you can go to the Hosted Domains section of your Hepsia Control Panel and edit the domains and subdomains listed there using an intuitive interface with drop-down navigation. You could choose what page should show up for every error type. The options are a standard Apache web server page or a page from our system, and custom made pages. If you choose the abovementioned option, you have to input the link to each page inside your account, then save the change. The link or the type of page that will appear when a user encounters an error can be changed anytime. In case you are more experienced, you can use an .htaccess file in order to set custom made error pages too, rather than using our integrated generator software instrument, and should you pick this option, the file has to be located in the root directory of a given domain or subdomain.


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SKIING ENTHUSIASTS – save the date!
Did you know that over 120 ski areas throughout Vermont have closed, from the 1930's through the 2000's? From local, town operated rope tows, to major resorts with high speed quads, these areas all played an important role in the development of skiing in the state.
Join ski historian and author Jeremy Davis for his presentation on:
A wide variety of ski areas will be discussed, including nearby areas as well as those featured in Davis' book, Lost Ski Areas of Southern Vermont.
As well as Jeremy's presentation, the evening will include light fondue refreshments, a special showing of the new T-Bar film, United We Ski, and more. Admission by donation at the door .
Jeremy Davis is the founder of the New England Lost Ski Areas Project, a website dedicated to the history of lost ski areas throughout the region. He is the author of three books: Lost Ski Areas of Southern Vermont, Lost Ski Areas of the White Mountains, and Lost Ski Areas of the Southern Adirondacks, and is currently working on his fourth book, Lost Ski Areas of the Northern Adirondacks. Davis serves on the Board of Directors on the New England Ski Museum in Franconia Notch, NH. He is a 2000 graduate of Lyndon State College, VT, and today works as a Senior Meteorologist at Weather Routing Inc. in Glens Falls, NY.
Plan to be there if you can – you might just find out what happened to that ski hill you skied on as a kid.
Print the poster!
This event is co-sponsored by West Hill House B&B and Mad River Glen.


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The People-Centered Research Foundation (PCRF) welcomes Michelle Culp, who has joined the organization as Vice President for Research. Culp comes to PCRF with a wealth of experience and expertise in clinical research operations and clinical trial management. She has served as the Director of Clinical Operations at the NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Science and as the Acting Director of the Trial Innovation Network where she developed and managed innovative and efficient approaches to clinical operations for the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program and NCATS.
"Michelle's leadership in working with large, diverse, patient-focused networks ensures that PCRF's research agenda is in good hands as we work to sustain and expand PCORnet's portfolio of work and robust infrastructure already in progress," said PCRF CEO Kathy Hudson.
Ms. Culp has extensive experience managing clinical trial operations for NIH and industry studies. She was on special assignment with the NIH Office of Science Policy, working on clinical trial stewardship reforms, including the NIH Policy on the Use of a Single Institutional Review Board for Multi-Site Research, the NIH Policy on Good Clinical Practice Training and other NIH clinical trial stewardship reforms.
Ms. Culp earned her M.P.H. from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Maryland. Prior to coming to NCATS, she was the director of the Office of Clinical Trials Operations and Management for the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, where she oversaw intramural and extramural clinical research. Before that, Ms. Culp was Chief of the Office of Clinical Research Affairs in the Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, where she oversaw the clinical operations for numerous biodefense, influenza vaccine and other global infectious disease trials. She has worked for private pharmaceutical and contract research companies providing clinical trial services, clinical monitoring and project management.
About PCRF
The People-Centered Research Foundation is a not for profit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to accelerating people-driven research that is faster, more user friendly for patients and providers, and less costly. Its mission is to: engage patients, families, research participants, clinicians, scientists, and health system leaders in the design, conduct, dissemination, and implementation of research and analysis that leads to improvements in the health and well-being of individuals and populations and the performance of health care delivery systems. For additional information about PCRF, visit: www.pcrfoundation.org.


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Today, the ARISE Coalition is testifying before the City Council Committee on Education about the importance of improving the school transportation system and in support of a bill to provide real-time GPS bus location data to parents. Our testimony [PDF] highlights some of the trends Coalition members have seen that make this system so problematic for individual families and their children with disabilities.
Members of the ARISE Coalition and Parents for Inclusive Education (PIE) sent a letter [PDF] to Mayor Bill de Blasio asking that the City include a major investment in the FY 2020-2024 School Construction Authority Five-Year Capital Plan to make at least one-third of schools accessible to students, parents, and teachers with physical disabilities. Currently, only one out of every five City schools is fully accessible; as a result, students with physical disabilities find themselves automatically shut out of the majority of schools because of architectural barriers.
We estimate that reaching this target would require an additional $750 million over five years. While we would like to see the school system fully accessible to individuals with physical disabilities, this funding would go a long way toward integrating students with physical needs into NYC's schools and would have a significant impact on their lives.
On May 24, the ARISE Coalition, along with several ARISE members, testified before the New York City Council Committee on Finance, urging the Council to negotiate a final budget that included additional funding for school accessibility. Read those testimonies [PDF].
Members of ARISE and PIE call for increased funding for school accessibility in the 2019 City budget
On May 15, members of the ARISE Coalition and Parents for Inclusive Education (PIE) wrote to Mayor de Blasio and the New York City Council, urging them to ensure that the final FY 2019 budget includes the City Council's recommendation for an additional $125 million for school accessibility projects.
The 2015-2019 Capital Plan allocates only $100 million over five years for improving school accessibility and $28 million for ensuring that a number of schools can serve as accessible emergency shelters. Together, that represents less than one percent of the total funding in the Plan. Furthermore, the City has already spent the vast majority of this funding, leaving little, if any, funding for accessibility projects in the coming year. New York City cannot be the "fairest big city in America" until students, families, and teachers with physical disabilities have equitable access to the City's schools.
Several members of the ARISE Coalition sent a letter today to key state legislators urging them to ensure that the final state budget for this year does not include the Executive Budget proposal to reduce funding for summer special education programs. The letter laid out our concerns [PDF] that reducing the State contribution for these important programs would be very burdensome to school districts and would put children's summer services at risk by serving as a disincentive to including 12-month services in Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) despite the demonstrated need for these services. Those signing the letter specifically urged the State to reject the proposal.
September 2019


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If you'd like to tell us what wonderful writer's we are or that we royally suck, feel free at: or email@example.com or email@example.com
Kim Pritekel & Alexa Hoffman
Part 6
I tapped my fingers in time with the turn signal as I waited for the Ford pickup across from me to turn so I could turn onto the Thomlin's street.
"Finally," I muttered, the ninety-year-old guy driving the truck taking his sweet time, thinking that no one else had anywhere else to be. "You shouldn't have a license, you old fart."
I pulled into Rhonda's driveway, not entirely thrilled to be there. Today was my twenty-sixth birthday, and I hated birthdays. Since the accident, I had usually ignored them, feeling the loss and guilt rearing it's ugly head once again. But, Rhonda had insisted, and who was I to turn down a free dinner and birthday cake?
Locking my car, I readjusted the bottle of wine and bouquet of flowers I'd brought for Rhonda in my arms, and headed up the walk. As if magic, the door opened, and a grinning twin stood waiting for me.
"For me?" Jodi asked, eyeing the flowers.
"Uh, well,"
"I'm just kidding. Come in. And, happy birthday." She gave me a small peck on the cheek, and I smiled in thanks as I headed toward the kitchen. I went to push the swinging door open when I was stopped with a hand on my shoulder. I turned to see Cody standing there, shaking her head.
"Can't allow you to go in there," she said, her voice matter-of-fact.
"What? Why?"
"Mom's orders. You never fuck with mom's orders"
I chuckled, heading toward the table to sit down instead.
It had been three weeks since her arrest, and in some ways, it seemed as though there was a totally different girl before me. She still had her attitude well in place, but Rhonda would come in to work, gushing about how the girl would clean her room without her mother having to say a word, or she would give Jake a bath at night. I wanted to think that it was in part because of our little trip to the cemetery, but I wasn't about to take any credit for any of Cody's good deeds.
I just sat back quietly as she talked about her youngest twin, a soft smile on my face.
"You know, I didn't get to thank the secret deliverer for lunch today," I said now, setting my gifts on the table as I looked over at the skater. She was leaning against the wall next to the swinging door, arms crossed over her chest. She looked at me through hooded, seemingly bored, blue eyes.
"Oh?" I nodded.
The girl shrugged, glanced over at the bar where balloons had been tied, and bounced lightly against the ceiling. I just smiled, not wanting to push the issue as she was obviously not real comfortable with it.
The kitchen door swung open, and Jodi came into the dining room with the large, glass dish in her hands, biceps bulging under the immense weight of the heavy dish, and the weight of the homemade lasagna in it.
"Get ready to eat, you two," she said as she set it down in the center of the table.
"Oh, I'm ready," I was nearly salivating as I looked at the steaming food, my tongue literally slipping out to lick my lips.
Cody sat across from my, and Jodi disappeared into the kitchen again.
"Cody, grab Jake!" Rhonda called from the kitchen. The girl stood, and hurried up the stairs, bounding up two steps at a time. Left alone, I looked around at the decorations that had been bung in my honor, a long banner strung across the archway that led from the dining room to the living room, shiny blue letters that read "Happy Birthday," and it looked like some little three year old had scrawled "Brocln" on a piece of paper.
Chuckling, my attention was drawn back to the swinging door as Jodi came in again, arms laden with goodies; fresh rolls, butter, glasses about to spill their ice.
"Oh, let me help you." I hurried over to her and lighten her load.
"I tried." She grinned, setting the rest of the stuff on the table.
"No worries. You did well." I smile at her, and she smiles shyly back at me. I can't help but chuckle inside. Poor girl. She looks so awkward around me when I see her, especially when it's just her and I alone. She can hide behind others normally. Now, the normally boisterous girl is left quiet and unsure.
"Bookwyn!" My head turns to see a little bundle of energy running toward me.
"Hey, little guy!" I kneel down and take the boy in my arms, my eyes automatically closing as I take him in a huge hug. When my eyes open, I glance up to see Cody looking at us, a sad look on her face. As soon as she saw that I had seen her, she turned away, and took her seat.
I'd have to ask her about that later.
I picked up the excited boy, and put him in his booster seat, then sat in my own chair.
* * *
"Oh, thank you, Rhonda." I nearly moaned in ecstasy as I pulled the bike seat out of the box. I looked at it from every angle. "Perfect. Now my fat butt has somewhere nice to perch." I grin.
"Oh, hardly. If I looked half as good as you do when I was your age, I'd have more kids."
"Ew, Rhonda!" I threw my balled up napkin at her. "Thank you. I love it."
"You're welcome, sweetie. Happy birthday."
"Mine next." Jodi smiled, handing me a small, wrapped box. I took it from her, wondering what on earth this girl, who didn't even really know me, could give me.
"Thanks, Jodi." I ripped the paper off, opened the simple white box, and reached in. "Oh, Jodi," I breathed, taking out the beautiful, extremely delicately worked beaded coin purse. This had taken an immense amount of work, and I was certainly impressed.
"I wasn't real sure what you'd need or want, so I figured, well, you know, something homemade."
"It's incredible." I looked up at the smiling girl. "Thank you so much, Jodi." She shrugged, but her smile belied her nonchalance. I grabbed the zipper, opening the small bag, and seeing that the intricate beadwork was gone, replaced by a satin lining. "Truly beautiful, Jodi. Thank you."
"Happy birthday," she said, her voice quiet, shy.
"Mine, mine!" Jake exclaimed, startling us all.
"Jake, don't yell." Rhonda scolded. The boy, so much like my little brother had been, handed me what looked like was probably a card. I took it, and carefully opened it, not wanting to tear the paper. I slid the card within out, and narrowed my brows, trying to figure out what the heck I was looking at.
"It's a doggy." He explained. Doggy? I turned it around, thinking perhaps I was holding it wrong. No, still no doggy.
"Thanks, Jakey. It looks just like my Uncle Bruce's puppy dog." I smiled at him, reaching across to squeeze his hand. He grinned big, deep dimples winking at me on either side of his mouth.
"Cody, come on, honey." My gaze turned to the twin, seeing her glaring at her mother.
"Oh, Rhonda, she didn't have to get me anything, really. None of you did."
Ignoring me, she reached behind her, grabbing something that had been leaning against the wall. She heaved it up, and placed it on the table before me. I looked at it, then looked at her. Blue eyes were looking at me, almost as if challenging me to look at it and like it.
I glanced down at the flat, rectangle object before me. Chewing on my lower lip, I began to tear into the paper, knowing that Cody's eyes were on me the entire time. As I ripped a shard away, I saw a familiar looking house. When finally the entire picture was exposed, I saw that it was a drawing done by Cody, framed ant matted. The house was mine.
I looked up at her, my mouth open before I looked back down at it. I was stunned, seeing incredible detail of my place, which she had only seen a couple times. She even had the mailbox that was placed against the wall near my door, my last name carefully penciled on it.
"Oh, Cody," I breathed, absolutely awed by her talent, and attention to detail, and the thoughtfulness of the gift. "This is amazing. I can't believe you, you even drew the sprinkler that's in the front yard." I smiled up at her, completely charmed.
"Well, it seemed appropriate," she said, looking down at her hands shyly. "Um, happy birthday."
"Thank you." I was truly touched. Perhaps this birthday won't be so bad after all.
"Well, um," Cody stammered, standing. "I'm going to put Jake to bed." We all glanced over at the poor boy who had zonked out in his booster seat.
"I'll help you," I said, also standing. She looked at me, then shrugged as she walked over to her brother.
"Come on, big guy," she said, picking him up, the child groaning sleepily, resting his head against her shoulder. I followed her up the stairs, and toward Jake's room, which was painted with clouds and castles all over the walls. I looked at the art work.
"Are these yours?" I whispered, nodding toward the huge stone castles. She nodded as she laid the boy in his bed, untying and pulling his shoes off, followed by his socks.
"Grab his pajamas," she instructed, pointing toward the top drawer of his dresser that was also covered in castles and flying dragons. Finding a pair of Batman P.J.s, I handed them to Cody. She quickly, but gently, undressed the boy, and finally got him to cooperate as she slipped the clothing on him. "Goodnight, little man," she whispered, kissing his forehead. He immediately turned onto his side, thumb in his mouth, and was fast asleep.
Cody quietly closed the door behind us.
"Where's your room?" I asked, as she turned toward the stairs. She looked at me with a raised brow, then shook her head. I followed as she led me further down the hall, away from the staircase, and opened a door that had DO NOT ENTER on the door. "Cute." I grinned.
Once inside, she flipped on the light switch, which didn't do a whole lot of good since she had a blue bulb in the fixture, and the walls were either painted black or navy.
"I'm guessing you like dark colors?" I snickered.
"Yeah, something like that." She walked into the room, and flopped down on her unmade twin bed, hands behind her head as she watched me. I walked around the fairly large room, looking at the eclectic group of things she'd collected, from one of the Mad Troll dolls, to a lava lamp, to a pair of handcuffs hanging on the back of the door. I looked at her in question.
"Don't ask." She grinned.
Posters were hanging everywhere at just about every angle you can think of. Even upside down. It seemed to match her personality quite well- no real rhyme or reason to any of it.
I looked at some of the posters, modern bands, bands of yesteryear, a huge yellow smiley face with a bullet hole in the forehead with blood trickling between the eyes.
"Charming," I muttered.
I glanced over the wooden closet door, which stood half open, a myriad of clothing piled behind them, a pair of Vans and a pair of combat boots lined against the wall beside it.
Finally deciding to sit, I saw the big, red chair that looked like a giant hand, waiting to cup your ass as you sat in it, and leaned back against the outstretched fingers.
"Comfy," I said, bouncing around a little, trying to get comfortable. Finally I looked at the girl who had a completely amused smile on her lips. "Do I make you laugh, Cody?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
"Why?" I crossed my legs, leaning into the palm of the hand.
"Cause I don't understand you, mostly. I think you're a little odd."
"Me?" I slapped the side of the chair I was sitting on. "I don't have anatomy as furniture."
"Hey, you're in good hands." I chuckled, adjusting myself again. The little lines in the palm played havoc on my butt.
"So, tell me about yourself, Cody," I said, my voice casual.
"What do you want to know?" She bent one leg up, her foot flat on her bed.
"What else do you do for fun besides skateboarding and driving your mother crazy?" She chuckled.
"I live to drive her crazy. What else in life is there to do?"
"Gosh, let me think," I said dryly. She grinned.
"I don't know. I do lots of things. Me and Jimmy watch movies, listen to music, play pool, whatever."
"Nice assortment."
"I like to think so."
"Cody? Get your butt down here and help me with dishes!" Jodi yelled from downstairs.
"There's my cue." She hopped up from
the bed, and waited for me to get up as well. I took one last glance around
her room, then headed out.
* * *
It was mid-April, and Keith had called, asking if he could come over. There had been something in his voice that had made me a bit nervous. There had been something in his voice for the last month that had made me a bit nervous.
I changed from my work clothes to a pair of comfy jeans and a sweatshirt from my old alma mater. Pushing the on button on the coffee pot, I waited.
I didn't have to wait long.
The doorbell rang, and I walked over to the door, seeing Keith standing on my front porch, looking down at his shoes, no doubt perfectly shined.
"Hi," I said as I opened it. He looked up at me and smiled, though he looked tired.
"Come in. I just put some coffee on to brew."
"Great. Sounds good. It's chilly out there." He took his hands out from his coat pockets, and pulled the coat off his shoulders, laying it across the back of the couch, then followed me into the kitchen.
"So, what's up?" I asked, taking two cups down from the cabinet, and setting them on the counter next to the Entenmanns's.
"Oh, coffeecake?"
"What else?" he smiled, and walked over to me, holding his arms out for me to step into. He didn't kiss me as he usually did, but he did wrap me up in a warm hug.
"We need to talk," he muttered into my hair. I nodded, turning away from him when the coffee pot sputtered its last perk. Pouring us both cups, and grabbing the dessert, we headed toward the living room.
My mind raced as I tried to imagine what was going on, and what was about to happen. I had a gut feeling, but I didn't even want to put any sort of credence to it until I heard it from him.
"Honey," he began, sipping from his coffee, then setting the cup aside, and looking at me, taking my hands into his. I only stared at him, waiting. "You and I have been friends for a long time, and I love you dearly."
"I love you, too, Keith." He smiled, then continued.
"All my life I've been so confuse about things. Do I want this, do I want that, maybe both, maybe neither." He shrugged. "This was especially true with lovers and love." He looked down, swallowing hard. I squeezed his hands to encourage him to continue. Finally he looked up, his eyes filled with pain. "Honey, I don't think it's going to work between us." He looked down again.
I took a deep, silent breath as the words penetrated through my brain. I wasn't entirely surprised, knowing that this would never be a long-term thing, but still it didn't make it any easier to hear. No one likes rejection.
"Why?" I asked, my voice quiet. He sighed, taking another sip from his coffee.
"Well, I think I've met someone. Well, someone else."
A lump sprang to my throat and my eyes. Though he may not have been the prince charming of my dreams, I still did care about him, and would miss him terribly.
"It's a man, sweetie." My head jerked up, my eyes finding his. I smiled ruefully.
"I had a feeling that would happen."
"I'm sorry, Brooklyn. You know I'd never hurt you. God, I love you so much, and, well, honey, you're the sister I never had." I smiled understanding
"Who is he?"
"Oh, Brooklyn, I don't know,"
"No. It's okay. I want to know." I released his hands, and turned to the coffee table where the coffeecake sat. Opening the blue and white box, I grabbed the knife that I had brought in with me, and began to slice it. "Want some?"
"So, tell me." I pushed all my feelings down, dealing with them later, as I knew he was confused, and felt horrible, and needed a friend.
"His name is Ben. He's been coming into the gallery for a little while. " I nodded.
"You've mentioned him before, and even Cody's mentioned him to me." He took the plate of dessert that I offered him.
"Really?" I nodded.
"Look, Brooke," He set the plate down and took the knife and plate out of my hands, wanting my full attention. I looked into troubled blue eyes. "I wasn't fooling around on you. I'm doing this now before that is the case. I care about you far too much to go and do something stupid." He stared into my eyes. "Okay?"
I didn't understand it, but I knew that Keith would have to do what Keith would have to do, and apparently I wasn't in that plan anywhere. Truth be told, part of me was relieved. I had been feeling something missing for some time, on his part and my own. Damnit! Why couldn't I do this?
Later that night, long after Keith had left, I laid in bed. He had stayed for about two hours, and we had laughed, talked, cried, and just held each other. I still wanted him in my life no matter what. In fact, tears running down my cheeks, I had asked,
"Who's going to rush over and hold me after one of my nightmares?" He had looked at me with tear-filled eyes, bringing up his hand to caress my cheek.
"Oh, sweetie, please call me, I am still here for you, Brooklyn. Nothing's changed, just no sex."
I had smiled at that, and buried my face into his neck.
As I laid in my bed, staring up at that dark ceiling, suddenly I felt very alone. Despite what he had said, he had a new life now, and a new person to share it with. He had been my date, my friend, my confidante, and just all around nut ball. What now?
A tear slipped out of my left eye, making a slow, chilled path down my cheek, gathering in my ear to make me shiver, followed by its twin headed down to my right ear, which I stopped, looking at my fingertip, then rubbing the wetness between my finger and thumb.
Why did the people in my life leave me? My parents and brother, Uncle Bruce had tried to do his best, but when it came down to it, he had no interest in the responsibility of raising a teenager, no matter how short the time. Rand, who I knew deep down would get that job. She had already aced her phone interview, and now they wanted her to fly out to D.C., on their nickel, to meet with the senator, and hobnob with those she'd be working with, if she got the job.
And now Keith. No, we didn't have the perfect relationship, and the fire was basically nonexistent, but at least he had been there for me, so gentle and loving in so many ways.
I turned over, curling up on my side and staring out toward the solarium. With a heavy sigh, I gladly let sleep take me away.
* * *
The year was flying by, April nearly over, my birthday a memory, and the weather was beginning to change, the warmer weather creeping in, thrilling me to no end as I could start shedding layers of clothing during my rides now. Work was hectic, and my personal life was dull. But, such is life.
I hung up the phone, a smile plastered on my lips as I thought of the bravado of that girl. Plus, I had to admit, the idea of her giving Keith such a hard time over something she knew nothing about, made me happy.
I picked up the phone again, and dialed seven numbers.
"Hello?" came a decidedly childish voice. Brows knitting, I asked for Cody. "Cowy?" the voice said, and then realization dawned on me.
"Yeah?" he nearly yelled, causing me to draw the phone away from my head.
"Is Cody there, honey?"
"Yeah!" There was an awful sound, yet again yanking the phone away from my ear, and a round of giggles with Tom's voice in the background.
"Hello?" Does anyone there still have a brain?
"Give it to me, you little turd." I heard growled in the background, a voice that was definitely female.
"Mine!" Jake yelled.
"Give me the phone before I turn you into dog food."
"Mine!" More obnoxious noise, then finally,
"Yeah?" She was most definitely irritated. I chuckled.
"This is Brooklyn."
"Oh, hi."
"Having some problems over there?"
"Yeah, the little shit head is going through a 'mine' phase." I laughed outright.
"So I gathered. Do you have a few minutes?" I sat on the couch, putting my feet up onto the coffee table.
"Uh, sure." The girl sounded skeptical, probably wondering why the hell I was calling her.
"So I heard you had an interesting little chat with Keith today." I smiled, remembering what he had said. The line went quiet. "Hello?"
"Um, yeah." Gosh, Cody, is that embarrassment I detect in your voice? I grinned again. "Well, how the hell was I supposed to know you guys were broken up?" I laughed again, this time hearing the slightest bit of a laugh on the other end of the line.
"You got him pretty good, though."
"Yeah, he had no idea what hit him."
I thought back to what Keith had told me, explaining that his new friend, Ben, had come into the gallery, bringing him lunch, and had given him a nice hug and peck on the cheek before he'd left. Cody saw this, not knowing what was going on, and decided to give him the third degree about cheating on me.
"I just wanted to call and say thank you. I really appreciate you looking out for me, Cody."
"Well, come on. If the dude had been screwing around on you, I would have reattached his balls somewhere else. That's just fucked up."
"Yes, it is. My hero."
"Um," I could almost imagine her looking anywhere but at the phone, her hands playing nervously with something.
"Well, are you hungry?"
"I'm always hungry."
"Want to grab something to eat?"
"I always want to grab something to eat." Rolling my eyes.
"Would you like to grab something to eat with me right now?"
"See that? You gotta be specific."
"And you have to be difficult."
"I'll be there in twenty minutes."
The line went dead, and I shook my head as I set the cordless on the table That girl was impossible.
Changing into an old pair of jeans with a nice hole in the knee, one on the back pocket, and another started on the other thigh, I threw a sweater over my head, and headed out to my car.
When I pulled up to the Thomlin's house, Cody was sitting on the front porch, black cargo shorts, a black shirt covered by a gray flannel, and her skateboard sitting next to her, hand resting on it as she rolled it back and forth. I pulled into the driveway and rolled down my window.
"Don't you ever get cold?" She stood, shaking her head.
"And if you were, I doubt you'd tell me," I muttered. The girl got into the car, and glanced over at me.
"So, I see you found religion." I looked at her, confused, then looked where her eyes were focused, and saw the holes in my jeans. Rolling my eyes, I grinned as we backed out of the driveway.
* * *
"Okay, so I was thinking of having the girls' birthday at my place," I suggested, sitting in one of the chairs in Rhonda's office.
"Really?" she asked, her excitement level growing.
"Sue, why not? We could have a barbecue."
"Oh, what a wonderful idea." She clapped her hands together happily, sitting forward in her chair. "You want to make steaks? I'll bring the meat."
"No," I waved her off. "I can provide the food, you just provide the twins." I smiled.
"You know, speaking of, Cody has been amazing lately. She actually cleaned her room last week without one word from me. Plus, she actually did dishes last night on her own." She put her reading glasses back on, letting me know that our lunch chat was over. "I have no idea what's gotten into her."
I smiled, looking down at the floor as I stood. Somewhere deep down I hoped I had had something to do with that. Perhaps showing Cody what can happen in life had made her see what does have in life.
"Oh, Brooke,"
"Yeah?" I asked from the door.
"Is it possible you could grab Cody and pick Jake up from daycare next week? I'm going to need the car after work for my Mary Kay meeting."
"Oh, Ron," I grimaced. "Are you still selling that crap?" My boss looked at me, hands on her hips.
"I happen to like the products. They make my skin feel and look younger."
I rolled my eyes. "What time?"
"Hmm. Well, you know, that'll mean I'll have to leave work a little early, and well, frankly, my boss might just get a little ticked at me."
"She just might fire you if you don't."
Her laughter followed me out the door as I smiled, headed back to my desk.
* **
"So, where is this place?" I asked Cody as she got into the car.
"Well, go that way," she said, pointing down the street.
"Gosh, you're helpful." I muttered dryly. So we drove down the street, headed toward Jake's daycare center. I stopped at the stop sign. "Now what?"
"Turn that way." She pointed toward her right. I looked at her like she was nuts.
"Is this far?"
"Not really." She shrugged. I shook my head.
"Infuriating." As I drove, we passed several kids out and about, riding bikes, skateboarding and playing basketball. It was a beautiful day, the rain had managed to stay away for a few days, and I was relishing it.
"That way," Cody offered when I hit the next stop sign.
"Can I have a few directions in advance, please?" I asked with a smile.
"Sure. Why didn't you ask?"
Throwing my hands up in exasperation, the only thing that stopped me from strangling the girl was the small chuckle I heard from my passenger seat.
Finally the squat, red building came into view, the word "Squiggles" scrawled across a large, green sign, meant to look like a chalk board. I parked in front, and we headed inside, the halls quiet, everything from posters to drinking fountains on little kid levels. I was completely charmed as we headed down the long main hall, toward the double doors at the end.
"I went to school here, you know." Cody said, pulling one of the doors open, and stepping aside for me to pass. Awww, how sweet.
"Oh, yeah?" She nodded. "Scary."
"Tell me about it."
Once outside, I realized we were in the middle of a small courtyard filled with play equipment, slides, swings, sandboxes and the little horses kids could rock on.
A dozen young heads turned when the door opened, and my eyes spotted the little boy with the big smile, playing with an adorable little blonde boy.
"Hi!" Jake yelled, running toward us, first wrapping his arms around Cody's legs, then moving to mine.
"Hey, sweetie," I said, looking down at my new leg warmer, and running my fingers through his soft hair. He looked up at me with adoring eyes.
"Ready to go, little man?" Cody asked, mussing his hair. He nodded, finally letting go of me. We turned around, nearly running smack into a woman with short, dark hair, wearing blue jeans, black boots, a white shirt with a black blazer over it, and carrying a very young bundle of dark hair in her arms.
"Cody, you're looking sloppy as ever," she said, a cocky grin on her face.
I looked over at the girl, wondering who on earth would talk to her that way. But, to my surprise and relief, Cody smiled.
"Chase. How goes it?"
"Great." The woman took Cody in a monster, one-armed hug, growling as she squeezed the girl, then gently pushed her back to look at her. "Have you stopped growing yet? I think every time I see you, I'm always worried you're going to be taller than I am."
I looked from one to the other, trying to figure out who this woman was. They had such an easy rapport, and the girl seemed to almost step off her high horse around this woman. Cody finally looked at me, seeing the confusion.
"Oh, um, Chase, this is a friend of mine, Brooklyn. Brooklyn, Chase Marin, and," Cody looked at the baby in Chase's arms with a questioning lift of her brow.
"Jeremy," Chase said, looking down at her bundle. She looked at me "Nice to meet you." She took my hand in a warm, strong shake.
"You, too." My eyes traveled down to the baby again. "How old is he?" I took a step closer, as did Cody, looking over the green blanket that he was wrapped in.
"Two months." I smiled at the unmistakable pride that shone in the woman's blue eyes. "This is our newest little guy, Cody." The skater looked closely at the baby, then up at his mother.
"He's yours, isn't he?" Chase nodded.
"Yep. I lost the coin toss." They both laughed, and I stood there, utterly confused. Luckily the woman came to my aid. "See, my partner, Dagny, is Hunter's mother. Hunter, come here, big guy." I turned to see the blonde boy that Jake had been playing with run over, and stand next to his mother. Wait, I was confused.
Cody snickered. "They're both chicks, Brooklyn."
"Same father, though." Chase added. I looked from one to the other of the boys and did, in fact, see similarities. Hunter had blond hair and bluish, green eyes, while his baby brother had dark hair and green eyes. A smile spread across my lips as the entirety of the situation finally managed to soak through my brain, and I looked up at Chase and smiled.
"How wonderful." She smiled at me, hugging both her sons closer to her.
"So, where's Dag? Doesn't she usually grab the monster man?"
"Yup." Chase answered Cody. "But, she's still at the school." She looked at me. "My partner has her own practice on the side, but her day job, as we like to call it, is teaching psych at the university."
"So, you're both into trying to fix the psyche, huh?" I grinned.
"Yes, ma'am. That's how me met." She winked at me. "Well, Cody, tell your mom I said hi, but I have to get these two fed before they start getting cranky." She turned to me. "It was really nice meeting you, Brooklyn. The four of us will definitely have to get together and get some lunch."
"I'd like that."
As we walked back to my car with Jake walking behind us, looking like he was about to fall asleep standing, Cody started to talk.
"Chase used to be my counselor," she said shyly.
"Yeah?" She nodded.
"Yeah, mom made me go to her a few years back."
I unlocked the car. "Did it do any good?" I grinned. She looked at me with a smirk on her face, shook her head.
"Can't fix what isn't broken." She got Jake settled in the car, snapping him in the car seat we'd brought along, and then got into the front seat next to me. "Anyway, we kind of became friends, and she started hanging out with my family after my sessions stopped. She's a cool chick. So is Dag."
"She seems very nice." Cody nodded, looking out her window, her fingers tapping against her knee, almost nervously.
And just like that, all conversation between us stopped. I did not understand this girl.
* * *
I sat on the bed, watching, holding my head up on my hand, trying not to focus so much on the bad aspects, but on all the possibilities for Rand. Her dreams could very well just be within a week and a half's grasp.
"Do you really think you'll need that cocktail dress, Rand?" I asked, adjusting my position so I could sit up, tucking my bare feet under me. She paused, garment bag in hand, then looked at the dress, chewing on her lip.
"Well, the senator said I may be attending the annual party that she holds for her staff during the week I'll be there,"
"Gee, how auspicious." I grinned. She tossed the luggage tag at me.
"Don't get me too excited, sugar lips."
"Well, why not? Come on, pumpkin, do you really think she'd take the money out of her budget to lug your ass all the way over to D.C. and put you up for a week if she wasn't about ready to sign your employment papers?"
"I don't know." She put the dress down on top of the open suitcase, and sat on the bed, flopping back and looking at me. "Do you really think so?"
"Well, duh!" I moved so I was laying next to her, our heads touching. "Rand, you may be an absolute nutball who dresses like a mortician, but you're damn good at what you do. And, you're ambitious. I have no doubt in my mind that you'll get this."
"Do you want me to?" she asked, her voice low and serious. I could see the fear in her eyes; the fear of the unknown, the fear of really reaching success, and leaving all that you know behind. How could I possibly tell her that I didn't want her to leave me like everyone else, that I didn't know what I'd do without her.
"Of course I do, Rand. I mean, I don't want you to go, god no. But, I do want you to be happy, and I know that this move will make you very happy. Seeing your success is amazingly satisfying for me.
Rand studied me for a few moments, then smiled.
* * *
I sat against the pillows I had leaned up against my headboard, staring into the fire that warmed up the cool, night air. The wet streaks on my cheeks were beginning to dry, making my skin feel stiff, but it wouldn't last long before they were refreshed, as I could feel more tears gathering.
Rand had been on my mind since I'd left her house two hours ago, and I was having a hard time concentrating on the book that I had begun to read for that specific purpose. I couldn't get into the story, none of the plot making sense as my mind wandered to a life without the closest link to family that I'd ever known. Nobody knew my secrets like she did, and certainly nobody cared like her.
Grabbing the tissue that had been placed beside me, I brought it to my nose, ready to blow when the phone rang.
"Crap." Hastily taking care of my mess, I picked up the cordless off the nightstand. "Hello?"
"Is Brooklyn there, please?" a woman's voice asked.
"This is she,"
"Hi. This is Chase Marin. I got your message at the office earlier this week, but life's been rough with a new baby." She chuckled, I smiled.
"I imagine so, and don't worry about it. I understand. After all, I do have two hamsters." I smiled at the low, rich laughter on the other end of the line.
"Trade you. So, what can I do for you?"
"Well," I tossed my novel aside, and threw the crumpled up tissue in the general direction of the waste basket, though I doubt it landed in its mark, usually didn't. "I understand that you've known Cody for a while."
"Yes, ma'am. About, oh, four years. Is she nineteen already? Wow. Time flies."
"Well, she'll be nineteen this weekend." I heard a low whistle over the phone.
"She walked into my office as a cocky fourteen year old girl."
"What's changed?" More of Chase's laughter. "I guess I just want to try and understand her," I said, glancing back over at the fireplace, watching the flames dance.
"Good luck, hon. People have been trying to do that for years," she said, her voice suddenly serious. "How long have you known her?"
"Since February. I work with Cody's mom, and finally got to meet the indelible twins."
"Oh," There was a low chuckle on the other end. My brows drew.
"Well, once Cody tried to shock me in a session by telling me, well, she just tried to shock me, and so when I saw you two together the other day, I wondered if maybe she hadn't been telling the truth."
"I don't understand. Wait, you thought,"
"Yes." This time it was my turn to laugh.
"No. Just friends. Sort of. I'm trying to be friends with her, but I just don't get her."
"Well, there's a lot more to Cody Thomlin than you think, and certainly more than she shows. Obviously I can't tell you anything about my sessions with her, but she's a damn good kid, Brooklyn. I just wish that Rhonda could see that."
"Oh, I do, too." I pushed myself down until I was laying flat, a hand behind my head, the other holding the phone. "Once in a great while, she'll let me glimpse those parts, and then just that quick," I snapped my fingers, "they're gone, and she's cut herself off again."
"You do realize that you're the enemy, right?"
"Absolutely. You're an adult, and worse, you're her friends with her mother. She's not about to trust that easily."
"What do you recommend?"
* * *
I held the warm cup of tea in my hands as I wandered around the backyard, looking at the new trees I had planted last summer. They were still small, but would grow. When I had been a little girl, I had dreamed of planting trees the first year so that I moved into my house and watching them grow bigger and bigger as the years went by.
Glancing up at the sky, I could see the sun trying to peek through, but it just wasn't happening. I just hoped that the rain would stay away, but by the looks of the clouds coming in from the east, not real likely.
Rinsing my cup in the sink, I was about to put it in the dishwasher when I heard the doorbell. Wiping my hands on my jeans, I walked over to it, and looked through the fisheye, surprised to see Jodi standing there, hands clasped in front of her as she waited, biting her lip.
I released the deadbolt, and opened the door. The girl smiled at me.
"Hi." She gave me a small wave.
"Hello, Jodi. How are you?"
"I'm fine, thanks. Um, I was just wondering if you'd like to get something to eat." She looked at me with hopeful brown eyes.
"Well, sure, why not." I smiled, my stomach actually had been grumbling since lunch this afternoon when I'd been able to manage grabbing a pop tart from the vending machine at work.
I grabbed a coat, and followed her out to her car.
"So, what brings you over here? Were you visiting your mom?" I asked as I got myself strapped in the compact car. Jodi shook her head.
"Nope. I came over here specifically." She turned the ignition and got the car started.
"Aw, how sweet."
We decided on a small, quiet diner that I had only been to a few times, but apparently Jodi and her mom went to all the time. Once seated, we began to talk.
I actually found her charming and interesting as she spoke about school, her friends, and her job.
"I'm really excited," she said as she buttered her dinner roll. "The way I've got it set up right now, we'll have this incredible puppeteer coming in twice over the summer for the children's program Patti and I are setting up. I mean, this woman is known throughout the US, as well as internationally." She took a bite, but barely missed a beat. "She has these massive puppets that she brings in, kind of giving the whole idea of a puppet show a new twist."
"It sounds wonderful, Jodi. You should be proud. You know, when I was younger, I used to go to the library all the time."
"Really?" I nodded as I sipped from my drink.
"Absolutely. I'd sit in the beanbags they had tossed around the floor, and I'd read."
"See, that's the type of setting and atmosphere I want to bring into the place. I want kids to head inside to the library to read during their summer breaks instead of staying out and getting into trouble."
"Exactly! I agree completely." I gave her a huge smile. "I'd love to see what you do when you're done. Please let me know when this woman comes. I'll go see a show."
"Really? You'd really come in?" She looked at me, bite of steak halfway to her mouth.
"Of course."
After stopping for ice cream, we headed back to my house, the sun beginning to go down, the beautiful orange and pink colors lit up the sky behind my house.
"Wow, that's amazing." Jodi said, looking past my shoulder at the sunset.
"I agree. I love sunsets."
"So do I. Beautiful."
Suddenly I felt as if I were being watched. I turned to look at the girl only to see that her eyes were on me. She took in my hair, my face, even my hooded jacket.
"Brooklyn, I need to tell you something." Her voice was low, almost hushed.
She looked down as her fingers fidgeted with themselves, her hands almost as if they were at war with each other. I watched her, wondering what was wrong, and was about to ask when she looked up at me.
"Brooklyn, I like you," she said simply.
"Well, I like you, too, Jodi. You and Cody both." Her eyes closed for a moment, a small smile lifting one corner.
"No, I mean I like you. I'm attracted to you."
Though this was not news to me, I was stunned to hear it from this girl, and had no idea what to say. I'm not sure what happened, or why - perhaps she had taken my silence as acceptance - but she closed her eyes, and reached for my face, pulling me toward her.
Before I could even think, I felt the softness of her lips against mine, just a slight pressure.
Getting my bearings back, I brought my hand up, placing it on her shoulder, pushing her away gently.
"Jodi, what are you doing?" I asked, my voice calm. I didn't want to hurt this girl, who I actually did like, but, no.
"I thought,"
"Jodi," I sighed. She turned from me, her hands going to the steering wheel, running her hands nervously along its smoothness. "I'm sorry. I guess, this just isn't what I'm looking for right now." I watched her carefully. She nodded, then smiled at me, though I could tell it was forced.
"I'm sorry."
"You don't need to apologize." She said nothing, just turned her attention back to the steering wheel. "I guess I'm going to go."
With a shaky breath, I opened the door, and got out of the car, hearing it immediately start. As she drove off, and I walked toward the driveway, I stopped, seeing Cody sitting on her skateboard on the front porch. She was looking down at something.
"Hey, Cody," I said, for some reason feeling, I don't know, odd. I felt ... guilty?
As I got closer to the porch, she looked up, then stood up, her eyes everywhere but on me.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, trying to make my voice sound chipper, but failing miserably. She shrugged.
"I was in the neighborhood." She looked around uncomfortably. "But, it's late, so, um, I think I'll head out." She dropped the board to the sidewalk, and pushed off, wheeling past me.
"Cody?" She stooped, barely looking at me over her shoulder. "Are you still coming early tomorrow?" She looked away, and nodded, then headed down the driveway. Once she hit the street, she hopped off the curb, and began to push herself like a madwoman, jumping over everything that came in her path.
* * *
I pushed the cart, grabbing an extra package of paper plates and plastic cups. With the additional guests now, I didn't want to chance running out.
As I strolled down the aisle, I thought about last night, and what had happened. Jodi had kissed me, on the mouth, lip to lip. I had been utterly stunned, and for a moment had no clue what to do. The girl was sweet and so young. The last thing I had wanted to do was to hurt or embarrass her. But, it seemed I had done just that.
Then there was Cody. I would never know why she was at my house last night, but what had I done? I had run her off because I had been kissing her sister, her rival, in her sister's car!
I sighed in exasperation. How the hell had I managed to hurt both twins with the same gesture? And, for that matter, why would Cody care anyway? My guess was that she did in fact see Jodi as a rival, no matter how well they seemed to get along. They were still sisters, and very different, and were treated very different. Maybe Cody had wanted me all to herself, her very own little per project.
Yeah, don't flatter yourself, Fletcher.
Shaking my head to clear it, I hurried to pick up the rest of the decorations. I had a birthday party to throw.
I pulled up to the house, parking along the curb to give my guests the driveway. I pulled the emergency break, and glanced out the window, surprised to see Cody sitting on the walkway, her back against the brick of the house. Her skateboard was sitting next to her, and she had headphones on her ears. She was looking down as she read the lyrics from the CD booklet, her head slowly bobbing to the beat.
As I got out of the car, I looked at her, seeing the tan cargo shorts she had on, tan and blue Vans, different than I'd seen before. Her tank was white, the backwards baseball cap on her head matched her shoes, a brown leather band on her right wrist.
Suddenly her head stopped, and she looked up, her eyes meeting mine. I looked into her eyes, mine full of so many questions that would never be answered, or even sorted out for that matter. Hers reflected an intensity that I knew was inside her, a passion for what she was all about. A passion that was Cody. I felt my chest hitch for just a moment.
My gaze fell, and I quickly turned back to the car to start unloading bags. Within a few moments, I heard her behind me, waiting for instructions. I turned and smiled, handing her a bag. She eagerly took it, holding out fingers for me to hook other bags on.
Finally getting everything into the house, all the bags arranged on the kitchen table, I turned to her.
"Why don't you start taking the plates and cups out of their wrappers and I'll start hanging decorations." She nodded, but said nothing. "Cody?" She turned to me, my hand on her arm to stop her. "Happy birthday." She looked at me for a moment, that feeling of guilt from last night coming back. Finally she smiled.
"Thank you."
I took the bags of decorations I'd bought, and grabbed the roll of Scotch tape from my kitchen junk drawer, and began to hang the banners I'd bought for the girls, hanging them across the room, and then going outside, as a joke, tying some balloons to the mailbox. It looked more like a party for Jake than his nineteen year old sisters. Satisfied with my goofy gesture, I headed back inside to start getting the food ready. To my surprise, Cody already had veggies out and was making a salad.
"Well, aren't you just ambitious?" I chuckled, taking the defrosted hamburger and hotdogs out of the fridge. She shrugged.
"Why not?"
"Indeed." I went over to the sink and washed my hands before I started separating the meat into patties. "Cody, about last night,"
"You don't have to explain, Brooklyn." She glanced over at me, then quickly back at the lettuce she was shredding. "Whatever you do is your business."
"But, I didn't do that." She looked at me for a moment, then began on the tomatoes. "I think I gave Jodi the wrong impression. I feel bad."
"Don't. It happens." I sighed.
"So it does."
* **
Rhonda and Tom showed up with Jake in tow right on time. I just hoped that Jodi would show. Cody helped me to get everyone's drink orders as I manned the grill. Inside the house I heard the doorbell ring.
"I'll get that for you," Rhonda said, heading into the house from the deck outside. I heard a shrill laugh, and lots of talking amongst lots of female voices. I smiled, hoping Cody wouldn't mind my last-minute invites. "Cody, honey, look who's here!" Rhonda came out, two lovely ladies with two lovely children with her.
Cody turned and then walked over to them.
"Hey, Dag. So good to see you." She hugged the petite blond, then pretended to punch the taller brunette. "Chase, you sneak. I didn't know you were coming."
"Well, thank that one. She's the sneak." Chase pointed at me, and I grinned at the girl.
"I hope you don't mind, Cody. I figured the more the merrier." I explained as I wiped my hands on a dish towel as I walked toward Chase and her partner.
"Honey, this is Cody's friend, Brooklyn. Brooklyn, my partner, Dagny."
"So nice to meet you." Dagny said, taking both my hands in hers for a warm squeeze. I liked this one. "Oh, Cody. You have gotten so beautiful," she said to the girl, cupping her face in her hands. Cody looked about the same color as the tomatoes she had chopped earlier.
Chuckling, I turned back to the grill as Rhonda and Tom salivated all over Hunter and little Jeremy.
I heard the doorbell again, and glanced at my watch. It was one o'clock on the nose. Well, she did get here on time, I suppose. Jake ran to the door, and let his sister in.
As the party went on, I found that I ended up chatting mostly with Dagny, finding her fun and exciting, thoroughly loving the way she was with her boys and her partner, and just in general. She was just an all around, nice, caring gal.
"Oh, you should have seen that one when we first met." She smiled, nodding toward Chase, who was out on the lawn playing Frisbee with Cody. "She was rebellious, obstinate, quiet, and just downright difficult to get to know."
"I really know what you mean." I chuckled, eyeing Cody, who was that, could it be, was there a smile on her face?
"So, how did you get to know her?" Dagny asked, sipping from her soda.
"I work with Rhonda. She's my boss, actually. I had heard about the twins for the last three years, but had yet to meet them. At the time they were both in high school, and busy with this or that, and rarely came into work to see their mom, so I really didn't see them. But, then all the sudden, there they both are all the time." She smiled, patting my arm.
"They never really grow up, do they? My parents aren't around much. My mom, who was a teacher, retired early, and went to join my father full-time overseas."
"Wow. That must be difficult." She shrugged.
"It was when I was younger, but I've gotten used to it. I've got my own family, now." She indicated her children who had joined the game of Frisbee. "I think it's wonderful that you're trying to be there for Cody." She looked me in the eye. "She really needs that kind of guidance, Brooklyn. Whether she'll admit it or not." We both smiled, and I took an ice cube from my cup, and popped it in my mouth.
Later, after gifts were opened, an autographed picture of Tony Hawk for Cody, and ceramic bookends made by me for Jodi, I began to take things back into the house, and nearly ran smack into Cody as she was heading out.
"Oh, Cody," she stopped, looked at me. "Would you mind staying for a few minutes after everyone leaves? I have another gift for you, and well, things being as they are, wouldn't feel real comfortable giving it to you in front of Jodi. I don't want to make things any worse, you know?" She nodded.
* * *
I led Cody upstairs, her tearing down decorations as we went, and into my pottery room.
"I hope you like this," I muttered, more to myself than her. I was nervous about it.
"Well, I don't think you can top Tony Hawk, but you can try."
I grinned, leading her over to one of the cabinets, opening it up, and bending down to pick up the somewhat heavy piece.
"What is this," Cody stopped, her eyes bugging open once recognition dawned.
"I only had the one drawing to go off of, so I had to guess on some of it." Cody nodded, setting the work down on the counter top, looking at it closely, moving from side to side to see the different angles. "Do you recognize it?" Again, she nodded.
"Yeah. It's my house. The one I drew for you," she said, her voice quiet, almost reverent. "But, I threw that out?" She looked at me, her eyes questioning.
"What, you don't think I can take something out of the trash, and iron it straight again?" She grinned, the slightest bit of a dimple winking at me as she turned her attention back to the house that she had envisioned since she'd been a small child.
"The roof lifts off, too. You only drew the outside, so I had to guess on the layout."
"Okay." She carefully lifted the clay roof, each shingle carefully carved into the soft material. "Wow," she breathed, looking at the floor plan. "Actually, this is pretty good." She smiled at me, then looked back inside. "What is this, oh. You put something in each room, like the cup here to tell me it's the kitchen?" I nodded, she smiled. "Cool. Great toilet, by the way." I grinned shyly. "How did you get the colors right? I love these colors."
"Well, I should hope so; you do have them in your room, after all." I winked at her, and she nodded.
"Sneaky, sneaky."
"Do you like it?" I was so nervous to hear her answer for some reason
"Very much so. No one has every done something like this for me before." She looked at me, the most genuine smile I'd ever seen on her face. "Thank you, Brooklyn."
"You're welcome."
* * *
This is how I heard it went:
"Rhonda Thomlin." My boss looked up from the proof she'd been working on, listening to what the nurse had to say, her face quickly going pale. ³Thank you. I¹ll be right there.² With shaky fingers she had disconnected her call with the woman, then quickly dialed seven familiar numbers She¹d have to call her since she¹d let Cody use the car this morning, and now was stranded at work.
³Cody, honey?²
³You need to pick me up. We need to go to the hospital.²
³What? Why?² the girl asked, panic rising in her stomach.
³Brooklyn¹s been an accident.²


text:
Guidance for facilities on reducing environmental impact.
|Published by:
|MAS Holdings (Pvt) Ltd
|Target Audience:
|What will this resource help with?
|The document helps to assess, benchmark rate and improve facilities for efficient operations by implementing minimum requirements and additional recommended actions.
The calibration tool was developed to assess, benchmark rate and subsequently improve existing infrastructure in all MAS Holdings facilities. This document also aims to standardise and replicate best practices throughout the group while ensuring efficient operations and continuously improve the environmental sustainability baseline towards a net zero impact facility.
The calibration tool comes in two parts consisting of the guide document and checklist. The guide document lists out the road map for each facility to achieve the minimum mandatory requirements henceforth known as MR for the MAS Sustainability benchmark. It also lists out additional recommended actions henceforth known as RA that a factory can attempt to implement and achieve a higher rating in the calibration tool. The guide document provides a detailed description of the areas covered in each section.
The calibration tool checklist is a detailed self-assessment tool that lists both the mandatory as well as recommended actions required to successfully pass each section of the tool. Each requirement comes with a list of parameters to fulfil as well as required documents to be submitted as part of the assessment process.
The sections dealing with major environmental and social aspects such as water, waste, or environmental sustainability culture are further sub-divided into mandatory requirement and recommended action rating. All mandatory requirements must be completed by each facility to achieve the baseline score.
|Related Impact Areas in Higg Facility Environmental Module:
|Related Higg Facility Environmental Module Questions
Download the tool below:


text:
Moose Fleece Blanket gives extra comfort in every way with the premium quality provided for you. Feel the warm and soft by wrapping yourself within the blanket.
Check items to add to the cart or select all
Contrast knitted Throw
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Size 150 x 200 cm
Material: 100% Polyester
Color: Navy/white Moose patter, White fleece


text:
General market comments/trends in the Appalachian Hardwoods region:
- Log supplies have increased mostly as a function of decreasing demand
- Sawmill production in our region has increased slightly since last month, but is falling off
- Good quality ("grade") lumber supply is starting to exceed demand (except for white oak)
- Low quality (tie, pallet, cant, etc.) lumber demand continues to slow down
- Export markets have tailed off slightly, with Chinese markets throttling back a bit
Black cherry; domestic demand remains weak; Chinese demand has increased; stumpage prices have dropped slightly; lumber prices – 1.0%
Sugar maple; demand slowing due to seasonal heat; stumpage prices slightly down; lumber prices – 3.5%
Red oak; demand plateauing; stumpage prices steady; lumber prices – 2.0%
White ash; demand continues to slow; stumpage prices have dropped; lumber prices – 10.0%
Soft maple; demand leveling with supply; stumpage prices steady; lumber prices +0.5%
Perspective and % Changes are measured from May 13 2016 data
Data is a composite from two sources; % rounded to nearest 0.5%
Past articles mentioned the very important export markets we have for the high quality hardwood timber grown in our region. Below are two charts that show US Hardwood Lumber Exports from the period January 1 through March 31, 2016; the first chart shows the numbers by importing country, and the second show the numbers by species.


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For more than a century, the artwork in the Capitol has weathered harsh light, tobacco smoke, ill political winds, war, peace, and millions of visitors.
The biggest threat to those priceless pieces of our history does not come from sticky-fingered school children (or from visitors who find certain works of art to be "evil"), but from the hors d'oeuvres.
Yes, those tasty bites cooked up by Capitol caterers may be to blame, according to a report in The Hill.
Debbie Siegelbaum reports that cooking oils from food preparation during catered events are likely the most damaging elements to the paintings and frescoes in the building.
"It's the Sterno that's heating your chafing dish of chicken that has oils in it that begin to kind of atomize as it heats and goes up," Architect of the Capitol (AoC) Stephen Ayers told The Hill. "Those products that get in the air [then] fall on every surface."
One wouldn't find chefs whipping up some omelets in front of a masterpiece at the National Portrait Gallery, but that seems to be a necessary evil when guests are entertained at the Capitol.
It isn't so much the oils themselves that pose the problem but the dust and debris that stick to the oil and adhere to the paintings that prove detrimental, AoC spokeswoman Eva Malecki told The Hill. Other culprits: coffee, soda, steam tables and even the pointy Christmas tree needles that decorate the rooms during the holidays.
To combat the damage, the AoC routinely cleans the large artworks in the rotunda and curators actively monitor big events to ensure artwork is not in jeopardy, as well as perform regular rounds and spot checks in certain at-risk spaces.
Senate Curator Diane Skvarla's office has also had to permanently move Capitol artworks if a temporary solution didn't do the trick, The Hill reported. She said it's all part of being a "working museum."


text:
150 Years On – was Darwin right?
- Tuesday, Sep 29, 2009
- News & Reviews
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Dr Stephen Lloyd spoke at our Harvest Supper this year on the theme of "150 Years On – Did Darwin get it right?". A good number of people attended ranging from students at Manchester University to neighbours, friends and church regulars.
Download: 14.5MB (Length: 42mins)