Earth Day

 Journalist Rocky the Squirrel here –

Keeping his paws on the nuts of the world –

April 22nd is EARTH DAY.  Every year, more than 1 billion people in 175 countries will participate in various Earth Day events on this date.  It is the largest civic observance in the world.  The purpose is to raise awareness about important environmental issues.

The first Earth Day took place in 1970.  After witnessing the affects of an oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, US Senator Gaylord Nelson organized a grassroots environmental teach in on college campuses across the country.  Many people believe that this first Earth Day celebration marked the beginning of the modern environmental movement.

Celebrate today – plant a tree, help clean up a beach or park and/or participate in an event near you.  Help to keep this world a better place for everyone!

And a little blast from the past you might remember that deals with Earth Day – Captain Planet and the Planeteers.  Do you remember this show?  It was an American animated environmental program created by Ted Turner, Robert Larkin III and Barbara Pyle.  It came out on September 15, 1990.

The basis of the program was set with Gaia – the spirit of the planet.  She is awakened by drilling which is above her resting chamber.  To control the damage, she sends out five magic rings to youths around the world who will become the Planeteers.

Kwame is from Africa and has the power of Earth with his ring.

Wheeler is from North America and has the power of Fire with his ring.

Linka is from the Soviet Union and has the power of Wind with her ring.

Gi is from Asia and has the power of Water with her ring.

Ma-Ti is from South America and has the power of Heart and telepathy with his ring.

All five can use their rings special powers to call the super hero – Captain Planet for help.

I think today would be the perfect day to check out this old classic of helping the environment!

 

Rocky’s Nut Brunch

Have you ever heard of Robert “Bob” Geary?  Chances are, you haven’t.  Geary was a police officer in San Francisco, California in the 80’s/90’s.  In the early 90’s, he was assigned to North Beach where officers were meant to be highly visible and to come up with creative ways to earn the trust of the citizens living in the area.  Geary had a master’s degree in education and and undergraduate degree in art.  He thought hard about how he could perform his job and have fun.  He decided he would buy an expensive wooden dummy and teach himself by audiotape of how to use the dummy in his job.

He chose the name of his dummy as Officer Brendan O’Smarty.  Kind of a play on words with O’Smarty being a dummy and Brendan as a first name to give him a little dignity.  Geary even went a little further with O’Smarty by dressing him up in a patrol uniform with a hat and water pistol.  And don’t worry, O’Smarty had a badge number too – it  was 1/2 – LOL

In 1993, the entire city of San Francisco voted about whether a police officer was allowed to carry a ventriloquist’s dummy called Brendan O’Smarty while on patrol. He was voted in by a narrow percentage of 51% for and 49% against.   Geary and O’Smarty protected the streets of San Francisco all the way up until his retirement in 1998.

 

Information/Picture off of Getty Images and Wikipedia

 

Boo! – Cemeteries

Cemetery Hill

When I think of places that a lot people died during a lot of fighting, one of the places that come to mind is Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  Cemetery Hill had so many people that died during the Battle of Gettsyburg that it’s hard for me to wrap my mind around it.  There were so many bodies that it was hard to bury everyone in a timely manner.  You can imagine the smell that overcame the land.  There are still reports today of people smelling death.  And you know what they say about unrested bodies, they become ghosts forever looking for redemption.

Hollywood Forever Cemetery

A famous cemetery that mom would  like to visit is in Los Angeles, California.  (I know – she’s weird like that.  She finds walking through the cemeteries as calming as walking on a beach.  Go figure – she’s my mom.)  Hollywood Forever Cemetery is the final resting place of many celebrities over the years.   I’ll need to break down a listing of more important graves here later on in the month.  For now though, let’s concentrate on some hauntings of the cemetery.  A famous person known to haunt here is Clifton Webb.  People at the cemetery claim to hear voices and lights near the Abbey of the Psalms Mausoleum.  A story that intrigues me that I’ve seen on television numerous times is the crypt of Rudolph Valentino.  For years on the anniversary of his death, a lady dressed in black would be seen wearing a veil to cover her face at his crypt leaving a single red rose.  No one really knew for sure who this person was and still today the tradition of leaving a single red rose continues on his anniversary.

Bonaventure Cemetery

And I must end this stroll through the cemeteries at one of mom/dad’s most famous places in Savannah, Georgia at Bonaventure Cemetery.  Did you know that this cemetery had the “Bird Girl” statue that is the photograph of the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil?  I say had now because it has since been moved to a museum nearby but there are still some amazing tombs and headstones left.  Mom/dad have spent multiple days and hours strolling through and visiting with the folks still there.  One of the famous haunts is of little Gracie Watson who died of pneumonia when she was only six years old.  Currently they have her grave fenced off… is that to keep people from touching her little statue or from keeping little Gracie from touching you?   There’s also the hell hounds that local legend have talked about.  People claim to hear them snarling but no one ever sees them.  Perhaps they feel the hot breath of a dog on their ankles letting them know they need to step back.  You think?

 

Boo! Winchester House

Today, I’m focusing on the Winchester Mystery House.  Have you heard about this mansion that is located in San Jose, California?  Have you been there?  It’s claimed that some people are there and they have never left.  The Winchester Mystery House is just that – a mystery.  It was the residence of Sarah Winchester.

In 1862, she  married William Winchester – who came from the family that created the famous Winchester guns.  Everything seemed like it was grand and wonderful …for a while.

In 1866, the Winchester’s infant daughter, Annie, passed away from a childhood disease called marasmus.  (Marasmus is a form of severe malnutrition and causes a child to look emaciated.)  Losing her child caused Mrs. Winchester to fall into a deep depression.

In 1881, Mrs. Winchester’s husband, William, passed away from tuberculosis.  Can you imagine watching two of your very close loved ones pass away so early in life?  Mrs. Winchester was beside herself and sought help from a spiritualist.  Through consulting with the spiritualist, Mrs. Winchester believed her family and her fortune were haunted by the ghosts of the people who had fallen victim to the family Winchester rifles.  She was advised that the only way she could appease the ghosts was to move west and build them a house.  Not just a house but to continuous build them a house.

In 1884, Mrs. Winchester moved west to San Jose, California and bought an unfinished farmhouse .  Work began immediately.  Mrs. Winchester  would hold nightly seances to speak with the spirits to help guide her in how the house would be worked on the following date.  In the morning, she would meet with her construction workers and give them the plans.  Did the plans make sense?  You decide.

• There are roughly 160 rooms, including 40 bedrooms;
• 2 ballrooms (one completed and one unfinished);
• 47 fireplaces;
• Over 10,000 panes of glass;
• 17 chimneys (with evidence of two others);
• 2 basements with three elevators.
• It has gold and silver chandeliers and hand-inlaid parquet floors and trim;
• There are doors and stairways that lead nowhere and a vast array of colors and materials.
• The home’s conveniences were rare at the time of its construction. These included steam and forced-air heating, modern indoor toilets and plumbing, push-button gas lights and Mrs. Winchester’s personal (and only) hot shower from indoor plumbing.
• The number 13 is repeated frequently in the home – whether in stairs, candles, wall hooks, stained glass windows or even 13 holes in the drain covers.  Also every Friday the 13th, the large bell on the property is rung 13 times at 1300 hours in tribute to Winchester.   Mrs. Winchester even signed her will 13 times leaving everything to a niece and personal secretary.

Construction continued every day around the clock until Mrs. Winchester died on September 5, 1922.  Upon her death, all hammering ceased.  When they looked in Mrs. Winchester’s safe they found the things that meant the most to her.  Not money.  Not diamonds.  Not riches.  It was two pieces of hair – one from her husband and one from her daughter.

And until this day, it is said that you can still hear the construction work taking place, that you can see the workers inside and outside of the home.  And, people still say that Mrs. Winchester herself is still in the home.

 

National Cheeseburger Day

Journalist Rocky the Squirrel here –

Keeping my paws on the nuts of the world!

Friends – friends – friends.  You won’t believe what today is.  Today is National Cheeseburger Day.  Can you believe that?!  Now I’ll tell you a secret at the Hotel Thompson.  Who lives at the Hotel Thompson and loves to eat cheeseburgers of all kinds, shapes and/or sizes?  If you guessed Bacon’s dad, YOU are so right!

I think Bacon’s dad has like an endless tummy or maybe multiple tum-tum’s like a cow.  Yeah, that could be it!  Of course, he has gotten better in his age… something about not being able to eat like he once did.  But he still loves a good juicy burger.

Did you know that cheeseburgers can be dated back to the 1920’s?  In 1928, a cheeseburger officially made it to the menu of O’Dell’s which is a restaurant in Los Angeles, California.  It was on the menu listed as a cheeseburger smothered with chili.  Can you guess in 1928 how much the burger cost?  Would you believe 25 cents!?  Nowadays, look at the prices of a good juicy burger.  It will surely set you back a good $10.00!  In the 1930’s, the founder of Steak n’ Shake Gus Belt actually applied for a trademark on the word cheeseburger.

Do you know what the top 4 cheeses for a cheeseburger are?  1) American Cheese  2) Cheddar Cheese  3) Swiss Cheese and finally 4) Pepper Jack

I guess they didn’t ask us here in the south how we like our burgers topped with cheese.  Of course, we would say with Pimento Cheese and Bacon!

 

Earth Day

 Journalist Rocky the Squirrel here –

Keeping his paws on the nuts of the world –

.

April 22nd is EARTH DAY.  Every year, more than 1 billion people in 175 countries will participate in various Earth Day events on this date.  It is the largest civic observance in the world.  The purpose is to raise awareness about important environmental issues.

The first Earth Day took place in 1970.  After witnessing the affects of an oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, US Senator Gaylord Nelson organized a grassroots environmental teach in on college campuses across the country.  Many people believe that this first Earth Day celebration marked the beginning of the modern environmental movement.

Celebrate today – plant a tree, help clean up a beach or park and/or participate in an event near you.  Help to keep this world a better place for everyone!

And a little blast from the past you might remember that deals with Earth Day – Captain Planet and the Planeteers.  Do you remember this show?  It was an American animated environmental program created by Ted Turner, Robert Larkin III and Barbara Pyle.  It came out on September 15, 1990.

The basis of the program was set with Gaia – the spirit of the planet.  She is awakened by drilling which is above her resting chamber.  To control the damage, she sends out five magic rings to youths around the world who will become the Planeteers.

Kwame is from Africa and has the power of Earth with his ring.

Wheeler is from North America and has the power of Fire with his ring.

Linka is from the Soviet Union and has the power of Wind with her ring.

Gi is from Asia and has the power of Water with her ring.

Ma-Ti is from South America and has the power of Heart and telepathy with his ring.

All five can use their rings special powers to call the super hero – Captain Planet for help.

I think today would be the perfect day to check out this old classic of helping the environment!

 

Spotlight Thursday – Meet General U.S. Grant and General W.T. Sherman

Spotlight Thursday

Welcome my friends to SPOTLIGHT THURSDAY.  This is the time that I will introduce you to one of my fellow anipals so you can get to know them better.  Some of them, you may already know.  We hope that you enjoy this series!

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Name:  General U. S. Grant and General W. T. Sherman

Age:  7 and 5 months

Location:  Southern California USA

Web/Blog Page:  http://threecatyard.wordpress.com/

What were your first thoughts when you met your new parents?  We came from the same cattery Rhea and Davout came from, although Grant is a British Shorthair. He seemed nice, but Sherman was coming down with a cold and sneezed a few times on the trip from San Diego.  Both were very good and brave.

What was the defining moment when you knew you were in your forever home?  We had a different safe room to start than the others had, since Anna has the old one. It has fewer cubbies, but there is a big wood desk you can run under and feel safe. We took to it right away, and soon met Rhea and Davout and like them fine. Sometimes we sleep in safe corners around the house but are coming out.  Grant likes to rub against everyone and Rhea sometimes gives him a swat to make him stop, but he’s working on her patience.  Sherman likes to purr when held, but has things to see and won’t hang out with you for long.

What has been your biggest “Oh no, now I’ve done it” moment so far in your home?   Neither boy has done anything bad or scary. Anna and her hissing doesn’t bother them when they invade her room, but Davout will sometimes pin them down by the scruff to keep them out of her room and upsetting her.  He does this to Rhea too.

 Who do you have wrapped around your paws more – mom or dad – and why?  Grant tries to beg for extra meals and since they both are growing boys they often get one. Mostly Grant just watches Dad and both follow him around to see what he’s doing.

What’s the biggest misconception that humans think about you?  Humans are still learning about us like we are learning about them.

General W.T. Sherman

General U.S. Grant

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Hope you enjoyed meeting my friend – check back next week for another Spotlight edition!

 

Spotlight Thursday – Meet Anna Comnena

Spotlight Thursday

Welcome my friends to SPOTLIGHT THURSDAY.  This is the time that I will introduce you to one of my fellow anipals so you can get to know them better.  Some of them, you may already know.  We hope that you enjoy this series!

♥

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Name:  Anna Comnena

Age:  8 and a half years

Location:  Southern California USA

Web/Blog Page:  http://threecatyard.wordpress.com/

What were your first thoughts when you met your new parents?  I had been abandoned by my family to a shelter. First they had a kid that abused me, then there were lots of cats in the shelter that worried me. I had a special place by a flower I liked, the picture on the internet was taken there and that’s where I stayed.  When they took me away across the yard for introductions, I was polite but soon worried that some cat would take my spot away so I went right back to it.

What was the defining moment when you knew you were in your forever home?  He put me in the same room the Rhea and Davout stayed. I loved it! So big! Dad soon learned not to put his hand over my head or I would swat it hard, but since I have no claws there it didn’t hurt so I’d snap with teeth too. After some learning, I learned to trust him enough to stop that.  After a time, I started to explore but Rhea and Davout coming close made me hiss at them over and over and run back to my room.  If they come in I get up high and hiss at them.  After a while Rhea started to chase me back to my room and we would fight, so the door is usually closed. I purr and purr when Dad comes to visit, but if I think another cat is outside the door. I start to fret and get upset.

What has been your biggest “Oh no, now I’ve done it” moment so far in your home?   I always do the same thing and never change much, except I’m not as afraid of people as I was before.

 Who do you have wrapped around your paws more – mom or dad – and why?  I have a room of my own, with lots of safe cubbies to sleep in and a window. That has to count.

What’s the biggest misconception that humans think about you?  That I am extremely stubborn. I am way more stubborn than that.

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Hope you enjoyed meeting my friend – check back next week for another Spotlight edition!

 

Spotlight Thursday – Meet Rhea Silvia

Spotlight Thursday

Welcome my friends to SPOTLIGHT THURSDAY.  This is the time that I will introduce you to one of my fellow anipals so you can get to know them better.  Some of them, you may already know.  We hope that you enjoy this series!

♥

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Name:  Rhea Silvia

Age:   3 years

Location:  Southern California USA

Web/Blog Page:  http://threecatyard.wordpress.com/

What were your first thoughts when you met your new parents?  I was pretty young, and during my first trip from San Diego to Los Angeles had an accident in the carrier. I had to share it with my half brother Marshal Davout. He was even more scared, and I hadn’t met him before then because I was still in with my litter mates. I still had another hour drive to get home. It was pretty dark but I only cried a couple of times…pretty loudly. I still stay quiet until I have something important to say.

What was the defining moment when you knew you were in your forever home?  After a wet-wipes bath and some food and water I felt a lot better. We were in our own room with lots of little cubby holes just right for kittens.  Davout was too scared to move but had a bed in a cubby. I did a little exploring of the room but found a nice spot where I could hide but watch what Dad did. Mostly he left us alone, or watched me explore some. When Davout relaxed some we made friends. We had to stay there together for a while before meeting the other cats.

What has been your biggest “Oh no, now I’ve done it” moment so far in your home?   I learned some bad habits from Uncle Julius (RIP) and climbed the wall in the back yard. This summer I did it, but instead of jumping down into the pool area, which is fun, I followed the wall along past several houses.  On the way back, I lost count and jumped into someone else’s yard into her house. I hid behind her sofa while she tried to get her little dog away and shoo me out of her yard.  She got me out of her house, but I hid on the wrong side of the gate.  Then I heard my Dad bringing out the ladder to check the big lot out back for me, and rushed up a trellis and made a big jump to the wall top and back home.  I’ve learned only how to count better, and Dad isn’t eager to let me out back until he fixes things.

 Who do you have wrapped around your paws more – mom or dad – and why?  I don’t think I fool him very much, but he doesn’t have many rules.  Every one at the vets or who fixes things in the house loves me.

What’s the biggest misconception that humans think about you?  That I am too mean to Anna.  I’m just playing until she hisses at me one time too many.

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Hope you enjoyed meeting my friend – check back next week for another Spotlight edition!

 

Spotlight Thursday – Meet Sophie

Spotlight Thursday

Welcome my friends to SPOTLIGHT THURSDAY.  This is the time that I will introduce you to one of my fellow anipals so you can get to know them better.  Some of them, you may already know.  We hope that you enjoy this series!

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Name:  Sophie

Age:  About 2 years old (a lady shouldn’t tell her age, right?)

Location:  Orange County, California

Web/Blog Page:  http://threechattycats.com/

What were your first thoughts when you met your new parents?  FOOD! I get real cat food! My mama found me outside a movie theater and I had been surviving on popcorn and whatever else I could find for the first 6 months of my life.

 Who do you have wrapped around your paws more – mom or dad – and why?  DAD! I love to lay on his chest and he sometimes lets me groom his hairy chin (I guess they call it a beard). I’m pretty sure I’m his favorite kitty in the whole wide world. He loves the way I coo and chirp when I want attention. I loaf on his chest all the time and he’s putty in my paws.

What was the defining moment when you knew you were in your forever home?  .When my big brother Dexter cuddled and groomed me for the first time. I’ve been his shadow ever since and I love him very much.

What’s the biggest misconception that humans think about you?  About me personally? That I’m a big foodie. Yes, I like food. A lot. But really I just get so excited when I see food because I didn’t have it handed to me for the first part of my life. But I rarely ever finish my plate. And my big belly? That’s just that pouchy thing that some kitties get. But I don’t keep food in it.

What has been your biggest “Oh no, now I’ve done it” moment so far in your home?   Probably the time I trapped my head in a Kleenex box.  Luckily the Pops put the camera down after snapping a few shots to help me out.

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Hope you enjoyed meeting my friend – check back next week for another Spotlight edition!