Month: December 2012

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A Tug on Your Heart Today

Hi folks,

It’s me again.  While catching up on all the latest animal news, I happened upon this site: Care2.com, and watched a video about a blind dog living in a LA Trash Dump which reminded me of the story of Linus.

Still not sure if you feel like donating, well maybe this rescue, with a happy ending, will convince you.

 

 

 

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Why not help an animal in need by making a 2012 year-end donation?

Hi Folks!

Well, it is New Year’s Eve (day) and I cannot help but think about all the animals that need our help.  If you haven’t made any contributions for the year 2012, here is your chance.  Below are some of the causes I give to; however, if you have other causes you care about, why not make a donation before 2012 comes to an end?

Some of my favorite causes are:

Help a farm animal in need by donating to the Farm Sanctuary: http://www.farmsanctuary.org/  or  Free From Harm: http://freefromharm.org/take-action/

You can also help the NYC Carriage Horses by donating to: NYClass http://wfc2.wiredforchange.com/o/8560/p/salsa/donation/common/public/?donate_page_KEY=7742&ask=5&track=email_blast_24308

And then there are these courageous organizations:  Animal Recovery Mission (ARM) http://www.animalrecoverymission.org/ and Animal Legal Defense Fund http://aldf.org/

And my personal favorites:  The Animal Rescue League of Boston http://home.arlboston.org/ ; Neponset Valley Humane Society http://www.neponsethumane.org/; North East Animal Shelter https://secure.northeastanimalshelter.org/donate.php?msource=1212ye3

But GiRRL_Earth, I am too broke to give.  Listen, I hear you.  I know full well what it is like to live on a tight budget feeling as though I cannot afford to give.  That is until a few years ago when I realized no matter how tight my budget may be I can still afford to give (at a minimum) $5.00 to each of these organizations without blowing my budget.

Let me ask you this:   Do you buy a cup of coffee every morning on your way into work?  If so, add up a weeks worth of coffee and donate that amount. What’s that you say???? You brew at home. Ok then, well, how many times a week do you dine outside the home, either lunch or dinner either take out or sit down?  Why not forfeit a meal out and donate the price of a meal to any one of the organizations I mention above (or an organization of your preference)?   How much does it cost to get a hair cut (male or female)?  As for you ladies, how much does your weekly/bi-weekly/monthly manicure or pedicure cost?  What about you facials? Better yet, how much is your monthly gym membership?

So you see if you really sat down and thought about it, you do have the money to give and just think of the lives you’ll save by doing so.

Why not make a donation right this minute…c’mon, don’t make me beg.

🙂

Thank you for your consideration.

Best,

GE

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Christmas is tomorrow and the New Year is nearly upon us. Perhaps now would be a good time to reflect on the past year, take stock of what you have done, what you could have done better and what you didn’t do.

Before the year is through, I plan to post my annual Gratitude Post — highlighting all that I am grateful for. If you have never done something like this, well then why not start now. In the meantime, enjoy this post from one of my favorite bloggers and take special note of the last paragraph: “Anyone who has chosen to forgive rather than hold a grudge, or show friendship rather than disdain to an adversary, cannot help but attest to the power of forgiveness. One even pities a person locked in negative, mean spirited behavior.” Perhaps 2013 would be a good year for you to let go of grudges, hate, mean-spiritied behavior and FORGIVE!

World in Motion

charliebrown2

I want to wish everyone who stops by this site a wonderful Christmas.    But what is Christmas?   The easy answer is that it is a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.   That’s partially true.   Early Christians choose this as their holiday in order to co-opt the traditional Winter Solstice holidays everyone else was celebrating.   Even traditions ranging from Christmas trees to mistletoe pre-exist the holiday’s Christian identity.

So while Christians are on solid ground proclaiming Jesus is the “reason for the season” in their eyes, we non-Christians don’t have to wash our hands of the holiday, or even phrases like “Merry Christmas.”   This time of the year remains a universal holiday, celebrating as days start to grow longer and humans find joy in the depths of winter.

Values of love, peace, joy, and forgiveness are universal.   The magic of the season transcends…

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Real Wisdom

I just finished watching on You Tube: Sophie Scholl – The Final Days (2005)  and all I have to say is, “WOW!”

In short, Sophie Scholl and her brother spoke out against the Nazi Regime and the egregious acts taking place in their country (Germany), most notably the Jewish death camps. She took risks most wouldn’t dare to take. When she and her brother were arrested, she owned the charges that were brought against her. She believed so much in her cause, that she stood tall at her trial, telling the court that where she is today, they will be tomorrow. How right her predictions were. Sophie had strength, courage and confidence that I cannot even fathom. At the age of 21, Sophie walked to her Execution with her head held high — that takes guts!
I believe in my heart that what is happening to animals, especially farm animals, is the equivalent to the Holocaust (www.269life.com). I speak out against the egregious abuse because I believe it is wrong. However, if this were another time, another place, and speaking out could bring death upon me, would I be willing to die for my cause like Sophie? I believe I would. Her sacrifice opened people’s eyes to what was really happening in Nazi Germany. Sophie is a hero. I hope you’ll take the time to learn about her story.
Best,
GE

World in Motion

Today I came across this quote from Sophie Scholl, a woman I greatly admire for being part of the White Rose resistance to Hitler in WWII, executed in 1943 at the age of 21.     Especially with all the craziness in the world today, and all the mundane distractions in life, I think this is a very powerful, meaningful and profound quote.

Please read this.  Think about it.  Live it!

“The real damage is done by those millions who want to ‘survive.’ The honest men who just want to be left in peace. Those who don’t want their little lives disturbed by anything bigger than themselves. Those with no sides and no causes. Those who won’t take measure of their own strength, for fear of antagonizing their own weakness. Those who don’t like to make waves—or enemies. Those for whom freedom, honor, truth, and principles are only literature. Those…

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Lives in the Balance

A post worth re-posting.

World in Motion

childsoldier2

The descriptions are heart wrenching.   Young boys and girls taken from their homes, forced to become killers and/or sex slaves.   Boys having their skin scrapped so cocaine can be rubbed right into their blood stream before a battle, told that if they have faith they’ll be invincible.    Even when rescued, they often find themselves unable to fit into normal life. How can you kill, maim, and brutalize at age 13, feeling powerful and in control, and then suddenly blend into village life?

How can you go from having people cower in fear at the sight of you to begging for food or doing a menial job for people who you know you could terrorize and kill?

I admit, I had tears in my eyes much of Friday as I read about the heinous school shooting in Connecticut.   Having two children (ages 9 and 6) I imagined…

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Somer’s Moroccan Lentil Soup with Susan’s Roasted Butter Cup Squash. Mmm Mmm Good!

Last week, the lovely, the insatiable Somer, at VedgedOut posted a recipe for Moroccan Lentil Soup.  Because I love all things Lentil, I printed her recipe and made it on Sunday. To accompanying this yummy dish, I also made roasted sliced Butter Cup Squash because nothing, and I do mean nothin’ says lentil soup (to me)  like squash, man!

For dessert I made Somer’s Oil Free Banana Muffins with a slight moderation. I used Soy Nog instead of Soy Milk. Sadly, my muffins didn’t come out as nice as Somer’s because I’ve been cooking and baking with an ancient stove (thank you to my 95 year old previous homeowner).  I could replace the stove but seeing as I haven’t decided on the exact direction my kitchen remodel will take, (I’m leaning turn of the century vintage) I figured it might be best to hold off before investing in a new stove…

The Soup and the Squash:

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My version of Oil-Free Banana Muffins — extra dahk, like wicked dahk (as we say here in Bahston, (ahem) I mean, Boston).     😉

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-GE

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Five Questions for NittyGrittyDirtMan (based on his nomination by moi for the Leibster Award)

Last week I nominated NittyGrittyDirtMan for the Leibster Award.  He responded back asking if I was supposed to come up with 11 questions.  

Here is a copy of our conversation:

____________________________________

Hey there!

I nominated you for the Liebster Award. Please don’t kill me for doing so (ha-ha!) and don’t feel like you have to respond.

__________________________________

Soooooooooooo without further adieu, here are NGDM’s Five Questions:

 

  1. At what point in your life did you realize you had a talent for gardening?
  2. What is the hardest plant you have ever grown and did it live or die under your care?
  3. What were you feelings when a newly remodeled, reshaped, totally buff, tragically blonde Madonna hit the scene with her new Album: True Blue?
  4. While attending a party of friends and acquaintances, and you happen to overhear someone make a derogatory remark about LGBT, how would you handle that situation? Would let it slide or would you call that person on the carpet?
  5. And lastly, if you were granted a super power, which power would you choose? Why? And what would you do with this power? 
  6. Bonus Question: Do you follow Downton Abbey? If so, who is your favorite Character? 
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Happy Hanukkah

Happy Hanukkah everyone!

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G-d works in mysterious ways.  This past Friday while attending a lunch function, I met an Italian Jewish woman (and when I say Italian, I don’t mean, Italian-American, I mean, off the boat from Roma!).  Her name is Eugenia. She and I hit it off immediately. Turns out, she lives in the town that I moved to not long ago and she said there are is hearty population of Italian Jews in the community.  Who knew?  She invited me to attend the menorah lighting today at 4 p.m.and the gathering afterwards so that I could meet members of my community, as well as the Rabbi (who lives 2 streets over from me(!). I had such a blast.  The Rabbi’s wife asked me if I had a Menorah, to which I replied, “No.” And then she handed me one.  Everyone was so sweet and the timing of this is rather  Twilight Zone creepy because just last week I was going through a rough patch, feeling sort of alone and isolated and then bam! I meet someone from the old country and the tribe.  How fortuitous.

My first Hanukkah in my new home.

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For those of you who commented on some of my posts during the weekend, I promise I will respond to you tomorrow (Monday).

Oh and Nitty Gritty — I promise to get those questions to you.  I had a busy weekend cooking and baking and didn’t have time to sit down at the computer.  😦

 

 

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Capitalist Mitt Romney truly is a sh*t head!

Sorry about the avalanche of posts today but I couldn’t help myself. While catching up on all of my animal abuse news, I happened upon this story about Mitt and the 12 hour ride he and his family took, while their scared-shitless-dog-Seamus-was-strapped-to-the-roof in his dog carrier.  Turns out, good ole square-jaw Mitt violated animal-cruelty laws from state to state. According to ALDF Mitt violated “anti-cruelty laws in each of the jurisdictions the Romney’s passed through that would clearly prohibit such a rooftop journey.”  I wasn’t going to vote for him anyway, but now that I know the exact details, I hope what goes around comes around and some day, Mitt-y-poo gets his comeuppance!

Here are the deets, if you’re so inclined…(and boy am I soooooooooo glad I didn’t vote for him. You know my stance on animal cruelty).

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Help Stop Backyard (illegal) Butchers

If you’ve got the stomach for it, watch this video footage of an illegal backyard butcher.  Oh and BTW, if you think this sort of thing only takes place outside the USA — think again.  A good percentage of these illegal backyard butchers are in…ready…wait for it… FLORIDA!!!!!  That’s right. The video you’re about to watch, if you can stomach it, was taken from good ole sunny vacation spot Florida!

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Backyard Butchery: An Ethical Alternative to Factory Farming?

With such a focus on factory farming today, there is little attention on a growing movement in the backyard slaughter farms which operate under the radar and without any regulatory oversight. But some activists are hoping to change that. In Southern Florida in particular, the backyard butchery movement is thriving, and investigator Richard “Kudo” Couto of Animal Recovery Mission (ARM) is a pioneering activist who does a tremendous job exposing these covert operations. His investigations have turned up some of the most horrific cruelty to animals perhaps ever documented in modern times. The photos and video footage obtained from Cuoto’s investigations are indeed harrowing and devastating…

The source of the story can be found here:

 

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Crunchy Betty

My co-worker, partner-in-crime, graphic designer extraordinaire  Erica just introduced me to this very cool site. In her words, “I’m obsessed with this blog.  It’s all about natural hippie-crunchy hair and skincare. Love it!” 

Now this, GE Followers, is something I can get on board with.

Everyone, meet Crunchy Betty

Go on and click the link…g’head… it’s ok, I’ll wait while you do.

🙂

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Where’s Shirley’s Rock?

My favorite vintage Etsy seller: Shirley of KlassyKlassics  emailed me yesterday to say she just  rescued a starving, matted, abandoned cat, whom she is affectionately calling: TC (The Cat).   In her email, Shirley asks, “Where’s a rock? I want to throw some at that creep. Over the weekend someone dumped a beautiful Siamese in our neighborhood.”   Shirley is a girl after my own heart. Rather than throw rocks at innocent feral cats (even rhetorically and in jest) who are only following instincts, Shirley and I would like to hurl boulders at the rat f*ck son-of-a bitch who abandoned this cat. Furthermore, I would like to torture anyone who brings harm to innocent animals…yep, that’s right I said torture.

…deep breaths…deeeeeeeeeeeep breaths…

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Here are some photos of TC. Shirley thinks she is a Siamese (She and I are Siamese cat lovers) but I have a sneaking suspicion, TC is a Ragdoll Siamese

 

Shirley, you are good people and deserve what I like to call “The Halo Award”.  Because you are an angel for rescuing this poor little baby.

Rocks anyone?  I’m going to collect a stock pile this weekend (heavy sarcasm hopefully noted).

-GE

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Boredom

I felt this was worth re-posting because I don’t think there is a person out there who cannot relate to what Scott Erb has written about “Boredom”. Well done Scott!

World in Motion

Boredom is the root of evil.   That was the wisdom of Danish existentialist philosopher Soren Kierkegaard, and he had a point.

Happiness can mean many things, but it probably requires an attitude towards life of gratitude, joy and love.  Boredom works against all of that.   Boredom replaces joy.   We think we want something new, but once we get it the newness wears off and it becomes unimportant.   A fine meal is joyful, stuffing ourselves with cheap junk food is a joyless habit.   We don’t like being bored.   So how do we handle it?

Think about a game of monopoly.   Once you have the hotels on the dark blues and greens and know it’s a matter of time before you win the game, the game ceases to be fun.   If you’re struggling against an opponent, each with a chance to win, relying on the roll…

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A letter to the WordPress Powers that Be

Dear Word Press:

I am very angry at you, yah that’s right YOU!  Would you please explain to me why you Freshly Pressed a blogger who openly and admittedly writes about WANTING to harm a feral cat? I’m serious, would you please explain it to me because I found http://mikeallegra.com/2012/11/29/a-natural-cure/’s blog very disturbing!  As an animal shelter volunteer, I have seen and continue to see egregious acts towards animals – acts that are my worst nightmare and yet,  what does Word Press do? They promote someone who clearly and admittedly has no issue, shame or guilt about harming a cat!!!!

I’m so fit to be tied that I am contemplating closing down my blog.  What a disgrace.  How could you be so callous?

I will re-post this  post every. single. day. until I receive an answer.

Yours,

GiRRL_Earth

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Leeb-stir Award

Last week, this lovely lady at Post Grad Problems nominated me for the Leibster Award. Say what? Yep, that’s right Leeb-stir Award.  Due to the fact I am a blog noob and an old dog, I hadn’t a clue as to what this is, nor do I have any idea as to how to tell how many followers a blogger has. Evidently, a blogger must have under 200 followers in order to meet the criteria of a nomination.   Under 200 followers? Yep, that sounds about right.  I think I have about 20 followers, if that… maybe 5 and I’m just hoping for 20.  😐

liebster

If I may nick what Post Grad Problems wrote, here is the gist of the Liebster Award, in her eloquent, young words:

“Liebster (pronounce: leeb – stir) means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome.  The Liebster Blog Award is given to bloggers who have less than 200 followers.

The rules for accepting are as follows:

1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.

2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you plus create 11 questions for the people you’ve tagged to answer.

3. Choose 11 people you think deserves the Liebster award and link them in your post.

4. Go to their page and tell them.”

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So in accordance with the Liebster Rules, I am supposed to answer Post Grad’s Questions as well as post new questions for my nominees. However, seeing as I am at work, I am going to use Post Grad’s questions rather than take the time to come up with my own.  Sorry Post Grad.

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1. Which art form offers you the truest expression for yourself? Pencil/charcoal. I’m an art school drop out but when I used to draw/sketch, I preferred only two mediums:  pencil or charcoal.

 

2. In that art form, what is your most honest piece of expression? Back in high school, which was the 1980s, that’s right I said EIGHTIES!  I had done some YSL fashion illustrations — to this day, I still have them and had I followed through with art school, fashion illustration would have been my career objective.

 

3. What always makes you laugh?

My cats, Azz and Eddie Izzard — the absolutely funnies fucking comedian on the planet.

 

4. What always makes you cry?

Egregious animal abuse — all animals, including farm animals.

 

5. What is one thing that you can’t do that you’d love to be able to do?

Oh boy, I am only allowed to name one? Yesh! Let’s see… ok, well for the sake of snark, how about pee standing up like a man.  Sorry, this is the best I could come up with.

 

6-7. What is your favorite book? Why does it affect you so?

Only one?  Again: Yeesh!  Hmmmmm,  ok, well the one book that had the greatest impact on me was:  The Secrets of the Lost Mode of Prayer — it enabled me to do the work I needed to move forward and be a better person.

 

8-9. What is your favorite movie or play? Why does it affect you so?

Favorite movie:  Rear Window — I can and do watch this movie over and over and over…

 

10. If you were given the opportunity to spend one more day with a friend or family member who has passed away, what would you do?

My Nonna, on my mother’s side. I would spend the entire day cooking and baking.

 

11. If you had won the $580 million Power Ball jackpot last night, what would you be doing today?

Ooooh good question because I know exactly what I would do:

  1. Call my financial planner
  2. Pay off the mortgage on my house and condo
  3. Give a million or two to: my dad, mother, brother and Azz
  4. Give a some to the Farm Sanctuary and my local animal chapters
  5. Go back to college and finish my art degree
  6.  Open a vintage shop
  7. Make sure I invest wisely so as to not lose it all  in five years, which I read (thanks Scott) is what often happens

 

My nominations are….

…um… I’m drawing a blank.   I have to be honest, because I haven’t a clue as to how to go about figuring out how many followers a blogger has, and based on their popularity, I’m going to fetch a guess that all of the blogs I nominate, have blogs that exceed the <200 follower requirements — oh well, what can I say except: shoot me!

To that end, I nominate:

VedgeOut 

NittyGrittyDirtMan

BookPeeps (my first follower)

iRuniBreath

DispatchesfromtheGypsyRoller

KnockedoverbyaFeather

3kids2cats1divorce

Scott Erb

FrugalFeeding

Morning Warmup

Congratulations all, please don’t kill me for nominating you…

liebster-award

 

liebster