A Forgotten Memorial Day. Feast of Pentecost. Vatican’s Recognition of Palestine. Update.

 

For "Scripture Sunday":

A Forgotten Memorial Day: The Feast of Pentecost

"Monday is Memorial Day in the U.S. But there is another memorial day this weekend that commemorates one of the most momentous days in all of history.

On Monday, May 25, most schools, federal offices and some businesses in the United States will be closed to observe Memorial Day. Memorial Day is a U.S. holiday remembering the Americans who died in all the wars fought throughout American history—perhaps 660,000 people.

But this coming weekend should mean more to us than just a three-day weekend of picnics and parades. In fact, this particular weekend is actually special for another reason. This Sunday, May 24, is a day even more important than Memorial Day—it is the biblical Feast of Pentecost (or Feast of Weeks).

The unique feast of counting

In Leviticus 23 God gave Israel a list of special observances that He declared “the feasts of the LORD” (verse 2). These festivals were to be observed by God’s people as “holy convocations” (verse 2). Israel was to assemble together on these days to worship and learn.

The third festival in this list was unique. Instead of having a fixed date, the date of its observance was based on counting: “You shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath [during the Days of Unleavened Bread], from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath” (verses 15-16). In fact, the name Pentecost is simply the Greek term for “fiftieth.”

This year, the counting began on April 5. Counting 50 days forward brings us to this Sunday, May 24." 

More at: http://lifehopeandtruth.com/life/blog/a-forgotten-memorial-day-the-feast-of-pentecost/

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Pentecost: God Gives the Holy Spirit

"Pentecost marked the giving of the Holy Spirit and the founding of the Church. What does this harvest festival show about God’s plan of salvation?

Pentecost, or the Feast of Weeks, is one of the harvest festivals that represent the plan of salvation.

Jesus’ crucifixion on Passover was a pivotal event in history. And just over seven weeks later, another watershed event occurred on the Feast of Pentecost.

Pentecost of promise

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1-4; for more about the miracle of speaking in tongues, see the article “What Is Speaking in Tongues?”).

During His ministry, Jesus Christ had told His disciples about the power of His Holy Spirit that they would need and would receive. By faithfully obeying God’s command to gather on His feasts, they were ready to receive this miracle.

God used the accompanying miracles to draw a large crowd to hear Peter preach a powerful sermon:

“‘Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.’ Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’

“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. …’

“Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them” "(Acts 2:36-38, 41).

More at: http://lifehopeandtruth.com/life/plan-of-salvation/pentecost/

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What Will the Vatican’s Recognition of Palestine Mean?

The pope’s recognition of a Palestinian state was denounced by Israel, but what will its impact in Europe and the Mideast be? How will peace really come?

The Vatican signed a treaty recognizing a Palestinian state Wednesday, May 13.

The National Catholic Reporter said, “The move comes four days before the canonization of two Palestinian nuns and solidifies the standing of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is scheduled to meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Saturday.

“Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon told The Times of Israel that the government is ‘disappointed by the decision. We believe that such a decision is not conducive to bringing the Palestinians back to the negotiating table.’

“Israel insists that for the Palestinians to achieve statehood, they must first end their armed struggle against Israel and recognize its right to exist as the homeland of the Jewish people.”

The pope’s play

Journalist Julian Pecquet wrote May 13, “From the beginning of his papacy Pope Francis hasn’t hesitated to jump into the bloody politics of the Middle East, starting with his September 2013 appeal for a day of fasting and prayer to protest the planned US military strikes on Syria. Since then he has recognized the Armenian slaughter of 1915 as a genocide and repeatedly called for peace in the region, all in the name of defusing conflicts that threaten to tear apart a rich mosaic of cultures in which Christians once thrived.

“‘We cannot resign ourselves to a Middle East without Christians, who have professed the name of Jesus there for [2,000] years,’ The New York Times quoted the pope as saying during his visit to Turkey last year.”

More at: http://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/blog/what-will-the-vaticans-recognition-of-palestine-mean/

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Update:

Monday, Jay and I borrowed his mother's truck and got the 4x4's out of my van which is still in the shop.Jay said that he could make his mother's washer spin, so we didn't take it to the repair shop.  While we were out, I bought trip tags for the Puddle Jumper at the courthouse.  We returned the 4x4's to Lowes and bought chain link top rail. The swaged end will fit in the parts of the carport canopy.

Tuesday, BabyGirl's adopters couldn't wait until Thursday to get their new dog, so Chris and I took her to meet them at Petco.  All the forms were filled in and she is now theirs.  They have a lovely house and a salt-water pool.  They brought their other dog and he and BabyGirl got along great and even played a bit.  We are all so happy for her. 

Wednesday, the Puddle Jumper had it's new muffler installed in Conroe, and Jay and I did a bit of thrift shopping, too.  I bought another shredder, and he bought some shirts.  It was very strange to drive the little Puddle Jumper out on the road, and as it hasn't left the subdivision in 6 years it smoked when it was first driven over 20 miles an hour.  Once it got all the soot off the cylinders and valves, it ran like a top.

Thursday, before it started to rain again, we put two of the new long poles (top rail) in the car canopy.  We are raising it 18" so that it can accommodate my motor home.  Jay drilled 1-3/8" holes in the treated 2x4's that we had laid out, and pounded the poles through, about 2 ft. into the ground.  That canopy is anchored!

Friday, we finished the carport. Here it is now.

Then, I went to lunch with my granddaughter at a very different place in Willis called YummyYummy.  They give you a bowl and you go through a buffet getting what you want.  I didn't really know what was going on, or I would have got some raw broccoli, cabbage, and cod, etc.  At the end of the buffet they take your bowl away from you and put the contents on a big grill.  You have a choice of different noodles and rice.  They give you a number and then your cooked food is brought to you. It was good, and enough to bring some home.

Over the weekend, Jay couldn't make his mother's washer spin any more, so we spun their washed clothes here.  I see a trip to the repair shop in the future after all.

Then we heard about the dam being weak at Lewis Creek Reservoir.  It will really affect me if it breaks, as I am at the highest place around and will get inundated with people!!  I have already been told by many "If we have to leave, we are coming to your place!!"  One RVer just left, she wanted to see where she could park her 42" motor home on my side lot!! The Corps of Engineers and Entergy are doing all they can to stop the dam from breaking. The reservoir was built to cool Entergy's power plant. Jay and his mother's houses will be in jeopardy as they are down by Lake Conroe.

Saturday, I drove the Puddle Jumper to church.  The readings were suitable for this Pentecost time.  Exo. 1:1- 4:20, Hosea 2:1-20 and 1 Cor. 12:12-31.  The Teaching was about "Emptiness and Fullness", and how everything is a choice and vanity is emptiness.  Psa.39:11, 62:9, Eccl. 2:2 "All is vanity". Then many verses which say how joyous it is to be filled.

The potluck was great, as usual.  Lots of fellowship and friendship.  One couple are full timers (live fulltime in their RV) and they are headed for Oregon.  We will miss them until they return to Thousand Trails Conroe next year. Some were staying for the evening Pentecost service. Some left and returned.  As we share the buildings with a Baptist church, we cannot use it on Sundays. 

Pentecost, like all the Holy Days, begins at sunset, so we had a small service after dusk.  I don't drive after dark so a church member who lives just past my house took me back at 7.30 for the evening service.  We had another great meal after the service and we didn't leave until after 10.00 pm. A really full and happy day.

Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge and The War at Rollover Pass. Government Overreaching. Ponce de Leon. Muslim. Back To Vet.

 

For “Travel Tuesday”: let’s visit Anahuac NWR. 

It borders East Bay, part of the Galveston Bay complex, behind Bolivar Peninsula at the Gulf of Mexico, across the bay from Rollover Pass.

“The chorus of thousands of waterfowl, the splash of an alligator going for a swim, the rustle of wind moving through coastal prairie, the high-pitched call of a fulvous whistling duck are just some of the sound you may hear when visiting Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge.

Anahuac NWR shares its name with the town of Anahuac. The name is an Aztec wor (watery plain) but the area had no connection with the Aztecs, or any other distant peoples. Anahuac was part of the territory of the Atakapa and Akokisa Indians, a small and scattered population of nomadic people who resided here for century, and fished, hunted, and gathered every available plant and animal resource that the region could offer. Their middens (also kitchen midden or shell heap) of discarded shell fish and their campsites dot the landscape, but there were no permanent settlements here.” 

Snow Geese flying in the refuge

Bolivar, High Island, Anahuac NWR

“Across the ship channel from Galveston is the Bolivar Peninsular. Bolivar Flats on the Gulf side is one of the 20
most important shoreline wintering sites in North America. The Audubon sanctuary is a large tidal sand/mudflat adjacent to a large marsh area. Over 100,000 birds have been seen on the flats in a single day. But this western tip of the peninsular also offers other great birding opportunities.

En route to High Island from Galveston, check for
shorebirds in the ponds and pastures along Hwy 87. About half
way take a look bay-side at Rollover Pass.” 

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“People can’t resist tinkering with nature. Old-timers say that East Bay was once clear as gin and floored with eelgrass. In 1955 the Texas Game and Fish Commission dredged a channel across Rollover Pass to improve fishing, inadvertently spiking East Bay with salt water and killing off vegetation. In the 1950s the bay supported 2,500 acres of seagrasses; now it has fewer than 700.

East Bay exchanges seawater with the Gulf of Mexico at Rollover Pass in Gilchrist and at Galveston Harbor near Port Bolivar. It is fed by Oyster Bayou, an important nursery for oysters and shrimp, which runs 23 miles from its source near Winnie through the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge.

Saltwater intrusion from the GIWW have altered the historic hydrology, causing a conversion of freshwater marshes to more saline ones.  Increased salinity may have also accelerated the degradation of the substrate’s organic layer, contributing to marsh loss.”

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Now Rollover Pass has a problem. 

On Mar 30, 2013 Jerry & Gloria Quincy of “Adventures in Our American Dream” blog wrote:

People come here from all over the world to fish...

“We went fishing again today at Rollover Pass. This is a really quick update and fishing report:
We had much better luck, I caught a ten pound drum and Jerry caught a very nice 15 inch flounder. We gave the drum away and took the flounder home for dinner. A nice man we met fishing offered to filet it for us, he did a wonderful job and now we both know how to fillet flounder for the next one. He was a great teacher. How wonderful to meet new friends that are that giving. Jerry also caught a whiting and tossed it back in, it was a bit too small. It is really nice to start CATCHING fish. :-) We have fished all over the place and this place seems to be the best place we have found in the area.

I read they are trying to fill Rollover Pass in and build a pier instead. They have a petition to sign to stop this from happening. I signed the petition right away in hopes it will help to keep Rollover Pass open. Here is a link to the petition, please read and sign it if you are familiar with the pass and would love to return and fish here, if you have never visited and would love to visit and fish....OR....if you would like to help keep it open for friends like us, please click on the link and sign it. Jerry and I will be most grateful, we love this area and hope to return again next year.”    10 more pictures at: http://www.mytripjournal.com/travel-724686

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From me: So I looked into it, and found the two sides of the story…..  I wrote about Bolivar Island and Rollover Pass on the 5th. March 2013 on this blog, http://pennys-tuppence.blogspot.com/2013/03/bolivar-peninsular-tx-rollover-pass.html , but I didn’t know this debate was going on.

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Now this is Rollover’s Problem. 

State Seeking to Close Rollover Pass After Almost 60 Years, to Residents' Regret

“It's a battlefield out there.

Back in the rum-smuggling days, runners used to head for the narrowest, shallowest spit of land blocking the Gulf of Mexico from entering Galveston Bay.

They'd roll their barrels over the land, which became known as Rollover Pass. In 1955 the state dredged the site in order to improve fishing and salinity conditions in the area, creating one of the island's favorite fishing spots.

And now, saying Hurricane Ike did so much damage it's pointless to rebuild, the state is seeking to close Rollover down.  They have a $6 million plan to build new fishing spots and recreational facilities, and they're ready to use eminent domain to condemn the land and take it.

The two sides don't agree on much, but the state does have the eminent-domain hammer, and that's a big hammer.”     From: http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2013/03/rollover_pass_closing_pier.php

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Government Overreaching

“Recently, in a gross example of government overreaching in violation of private property rights, the General Land Office of the state of Texas went to the U.S. Corps of Engineers and applied for and received a permit to close Rollover Pass.

The US Corps of Engineers say “The strong current through Rollover Pass is still carrying hundreds of thousands of cubic yards of sand from Peninsula beaches into Rollover Bay and the GIWW (Gulf Intracoastal Water Way) where it is lost to the beaches forever.  The General Land Office needs to get on with permission to close Rollover Pass while there is still some sand left on the Peninsula.” http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/workshops/11Sept-EWN/Stites_Closure%20of%20Rollover%20Pass%20Bolivar%20Peninsula.pdf

Supporters of Rollover Pass have launched a petition drive to try to stop efforts to close what is arguably one of the state's most popular fishing spots.

"Rollover Pass is used by thousands of fisherman, families, elderly, handicapped persons from all over Texas and the country," said Ted Vega, who heads the Gilchrist Community Association. "To use eminent domain is an abuse of private property rights." 

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BUT, we also have to see the side of the coin, and what it costs the COE to maintain it at:

http://coastal.tamug.edu/am/Rollover_Pass_Bolivar_Peninsula/Rollover.pdf

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Keep Rollover Pass Open

“ Not only do they not own the land in question, they did not ask the owner of the land – the Beaumont Rod, Reel and Gun Club – - if they could. They just did it.

“First, we are always told it is because of erosion. Unfortunately, the big erosion problem on the Upper Texas coast is that the source of sand for all of our beaches is not what it used to be. Rollover Pass is a small symptom of the larger disease of loss of sand supply due to dams up the Mississippi River. Shutting Rollover Pass is not going to solve the erosion problem on Bolivar or anywhere else. Severe storms such as Ike cause ten to a hundred times more erosion in one day across a hundred miles of beach than does Rollover Pass in a decade. If the jetties were constructed that were part of the original plan, the erosion issue – such as it is – would go away.

Second, we are told that the problem is siltation of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway – that sediment comes through the Pass and is deposited in the canal and causes increased maintenance dredging costs. However, consider this. A diversion was recently constructed (and permitted by the Corps and the GLO) to allow the diversion of Taylor’s Bayou in Jefferson County southward into the GIWW about fifteen miles in from the easternmost point of East Bay. That diversion will dump incredibly large amounts of sediment into the GIWW – a much larger amount than is contributed by Rollover Pass. So if increased dredging were really a concern, that project would never have been allowed. Yet it was with full support by the very entities that are trying to shut down the Pass.

Third, we are told that the GLO wishes to restore East Bay from an ecological perspective. To us, that sounded like a decent reason. But once again, this issue must be viewed in a cumulative context. The Taylor Bayou diversion mentioned above will divert millions and even billions of gallons of floodwaters into the GIWW and East Bay. That diversion is a new event. If Rollover Pass is closed, the ecology of East Bay will be dominated by freshwater inflow and will cease to function as a salt water fishery for long periods of time.

The Taylor Bayou diversion is a much bigger threat than Rollover Pass. However, if the Pass is left open, the freshwater domination of the Taylor Bayou diversion would be moderated by an exchange with the Gulf of Mexico and East Bay will likely be just fine. With the Pass closed, East Bay is doomed.”    A lot more and some heated comments at: http://www.crystalbeachlocalnews.com/?p=19250

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• CLOSING OF ROLLOVER PASS •

“Here are some questions and concerns that we would like to make sure the Corps of Engineers considers before considering the permit.

·         Recreational Value: As it is now, Rollover Pass is accessible to all people. It has land-bound access for the handicap and elderly or those who can't afford boats. The current structure also allows easy access for children to fish. There is no charge to any person visiting or fishing at Rollover Pass. A pier would necessitate a longer travel distance to the fishing area which could possibly deter prospective fisherman.

·         Historical Value: The Pass has been open for over fifty years. Many people have been visiting for generations and generations. Some families consider it a tradition to visit the Pass and fish every year. Also, Rollover Pass was used as a crossover point during prohibition for smugglers who avoided the Galveston customs station by rolling barrels of import or export merchandise (i.e., whiskey and rum).

·         Economy/Property Value: Visitors travel from all over the state, country and world to fish at Rollover Pass. The loss of Rollover Pass will decrease visitors not just to the Gilchrist area, but also the Bolivar Peninsula. Any businesses or former business will have less of a customer base to generate revenue.  Will it be possible for Gilchrist to survive and rebuild if Rollover Pass is closed?

·         Flooding: The current structure of Rollover Pass helps alleviate high water levels on the bay side. Stopping the flow of water will no longer allow this to happen and properties on the bay side are in danger of being flooded. What will be done to help relieve the water in the bay if the pass is allowed to be closed?

·         Wildlife: Many different kinds of fish, shellfish and even turtles travel through the pass. What will happen to the marine life that travels through the pass? What will happen to their migration route?

·         Effects on Rollover and East Bay: There are many wild grasses, birds and marine life that live in the Bay. If the pass closes, how will this affect them? How will the bay system be affected?”  From: http://www.rolloverpasstexas.com/rollover-news

Other solutions

“Opponents to closing the pass argue options addressing the erosion concerns that don't involve closing the pass were not seriously considered. Studies show installing a system of baffles in the pass would slow velocity of current in the pass and greatly reduce the amount of sand sucked through the channel.

"Installing baffles would cost a fifth of what it will cost to close the pass," he said. "But they're not considering it. Closing the pass is the only option they're looking at.” More at: http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Rollover-Pass-advocates-battling-closure-to-the-3336157.php

If you think it shouldn’t be changed, help Rollover Pass, and sign the petition to stop this.

http://www.change.org/petitions/galveston-county-judge-and-commissioners-do-not-take-eminent-domain-action-against-rollover-pass

www.RolloverPassTexas.com

From Me: Everyone loves this natural setting and it is just great for wheelchairs as they can sit right there and fish over the bulkhead.  I like Rollover Pass, and I would hate to see it go, but what is best for Nature?

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On This Day:

Ponce de Leon discovers Florida, Apr 2, 1513:

“Near present-day St. Augustine, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon comes ashore on the Florida coast, and claims the territory for the Spanish crown.

Although other European navigators may have sighted the Florida peninsula before, Ponce de Leon is credited with the first recorded landing and the first detailed exploration of the Florida coast. The Spanish explorer was searching for the "Fountain of Youth," a fabled water source that was said to bring eternal youth. Ponce de Leon named the peninsula he believed to be an island "La Florida" because his discovery came during the time of the Easter feast, or Pascua Florida.

In 1521, he returned to Florida in an effort to establish a Spanish colony on the island. However, hostile Native Americans attacked his expedition soon after landing, and the party retreated to Cuba, where Ponce de Leon died from a mortal wound suffered during the battle. Successful Spanish colonization of the peninsula finally began at St. Augustine in 1565, and in 1819 the territory passed into U.S. control under the terms of the Florida Purchase Treaty between Spain and the United States.”

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Yesterday:

An enlightening chat with a visitor in the morning about all kinds of topics including religion and diet.  They are Muslim, and when I searched afterwards, I was disgusted at myself for having preconceived ideas, when we should not judge others.  Many people consider them to be terrorist type people, but their religion teaches peace, prayer, family values, a way of life and the only one true God.

What is Islam ?

“Islam is not a new religion, but the same truth that God revealed through all His prophets to every people. For a fifth of the world's population, Islam is both a religion and a complete way of life. Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness, and the majority have nothing to do with the extremely grave events which have come to be associated with their faith.”   A lot more at: http://www.islamicity.com/education/understandingislamandmuslims/default.asp?ContentLocation=/Education/UnderstandingIslamAndMuslims&CurrentPageID=1&Top=&Bottom=&Right=&Left=&SideBarWidth=&RightWidth=&LeftWidth=&SideBarLocation=&Style=&CatID=&Destination=/Education/UnderstandingIslamAndMuslims/1.asp

At lunchtime, I tried one more time to get some food down Terry-cat with the feeding syringe, but he didn’t want it. He has not been eating or drinking so I tried to get some Pedialyte down him.  He just wanted to stay hidden in my closet and didn’t want me bothering him.  He is a gentle cat, so he wouldn’t lash out, but he just wanted to be left alone.

In the afternoon, I took him back to the vet, and I didn’t think I would be bringing him home, as I thought he was dying.  His temperature was 103.3, he had lost 7 oz, and the vet said he wasn’t dying.  They put a bunch of fluid under his skin with an IV, shot B12 into the fluid, and gave him a penicillin shot, which apparently burns, so he didn’t like that at all.   I am supposed to still feed him with the feeding syringe, but he just fights it, and spits it out.  Now he hides from me under the bed.

He has to be taken back to the vet every day for three days for another shot, hopefully he will start feeling better today.

Nature Apps For Kids. Importance of Predation. 10 Cat Myths. Real Cost of Dry Pet Food! Do Dogs and Cats Need Grains? Tiger Cubs. Cats and Milk. Corps of Engineers.

 

For “Mammal Monday”:

The Best Apps for Kids who Love Animal Facts

“Kids should have screen time that is ideally connected to increasing their creativity. As a wildlife conservationist, I would also love it if they learned something about wildlife.”

Our Favorite Kid-Friendly Nature and Wildlife Apps

I searched for “best kids nature apps” and most apps I found did not teach about wildlife or nature. Most had a cute animal as the main character teaching how to read, do math or make art. While those are great goals, I was looking specifically for apps that increased my kids’ knowledge of wildlife and nature.

These apps reward you for learning facts about animals or nature. They usually require the ability to read.  These apps are listed in alphabetical order.

Click the Birdie,  Creatures of Light: Nature’s Bioluminescence  Meet the Insects: Forest Edition  Nature Tap  Ranger Rick’s Appventures  Ranger Rick’s Treehouse  Survival  Tick Bait’s Universe  Weird But True

Of course nothing connects children with nature and wildlife more than time outside, so be sure to balance your screen time and green time today.

Also, I want to put in a plug for National Wildlife Federation’s award-winning kids’ magazines, because my kids love them. When you subscribe to our magazines, it helps National Wildlife Federation continue our work of engaging children to care about nature! Subscribe to Ranger Rick and Ranger Rick Jr. magazines today!”        More at: http://blog.nwf.org/2013/02/best-apps-for-kids-who-love-animal-facts/     From:  Wildlife Promise

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State must overhaul approach to predators

Copyrighted by:

“More than 70 years ago, legendary National Park Service biologist Adolph Murie published research showing predators actually strengthen deer and elk herds by culling out the sick and weak. Numerous peer-reviewed studies followed, also affirming the importance of predation to maintain the delicate balance of our ecosystems. Unfortunately, federal and state policies have yet to true up with these findings, and our laws and regulations continue to allow for the liberal killing of important species like bears, coyotes, foxes and bobcats.”    More at: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/02/28/5223747/state-must-overhaul-approach-to.html

From me:  In other words: Don’t Mess With Mother Nature!!

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Don’t Believe It! Exposing 10 Common Myths about Cats

“A lot of ancient "wisdom" about felines isn't so wise after all.   Some of it is just plain silly – and some is downright dangerous.

The following are ten urban legends about our kitty companions that deserve debunking:

Myth: Cats always land on their feet.

Fact: Cats don't have collarbones, their backbones are very flexible, and they are extremely graceful animals. This may have led to the old wives tale that they always land on their feet. However, the way your kitty is constructed is no guarantee he won't be harmed in a fall.

Myth: You should give your cat cow's milk.

Fact: Adults of any species typically have trouble digesting the milk of another species – and that includes cats. Like humans, many cats are also lactose intolerant, and cow's milk offers no nutritional value to your kitty.

Myth: All cats hate water.

Fact: Many cats are intensely curious about the wet stuff and love moving water – a sink faucet, a water fountain for drinking, a running shower, even a flushing toilet.

Myth: Dry cat food (kibble) is best for cats because it helps clean their teeth.

Fact: Crunchy food isn't any better at brushing and flossing your kitty's teeth than it is yours. From a nutritional standpoint, dry food is the worst thing you can feed your cat – it is devoid of both the healthful, unadulterated protein and moisture cats need in order to stay healthy.

Myth: Cats that live indoors don't get sick or need to see the veterinarian regularly.

Fact: While it's true indoor living is much safer and healthier for domesticated kitties, they still need regular wellness visits to a holistic or integrative veterinarian. And no matter where your cat spends her time, if she's not eating a species-appropriate, nutritionally balanced diet, she's at risk for poor health. An annual physical examination and bloodwork to detect early organ dysfunction is priceless, in terms of being a proactive pet owner.

Myth: If you have a cat at home with an infant, the cat will be attracted to the scent of milk and can suck the air from the baby's mouth, suffocating it.

Fact: There is absolutely no evidence cats are attracted to an infant's breath, nor has there ever been a case where a cat has suffocated an infant in this manner. If you find your cat snoozing with your baby, it's because kitties like to snuggle up against warm bodies, especially in quiet, darkened rooms – which nurseries often are. Sometimes fat cats are bigger than tiny infants, hence the recommendation to keep the cat out of the nursery.

Myth: Declawing is just a permanent nail trim.

Fact: Declawing is the surgical amputation of the first joint of each of a cat's toes, and is increasingly viewed as inhumane and a form of mutilation.

Myth: Cats thrive on a vegetarian diet.

Fact: Cats are obligate carnivores, designed by nature to require animal protein. In fact, human-grade, unprocessed protein and moisture (water) should make up the bulk of your kitty's diet. Regardless of your own feelings about eating meat, please don't compromise your cat's health by feeding him a vegan or vegetarian diet.

Myth: Cats are cold and aloof. If you want a loving, loyal pet, get a dog.

Fact: Many cats are very loving. Cats are not dogs, so other than having four legs, a tail and fur like their canine counterparts, they are very different animals and comparisons don't make much sense. Dogs are by nature pack animals, while kitties are more independent. But cats that enjoy the same status in the family as dogs are often just as loving, attentive and present as their canine buddies.

Myth: Cats have nine lives.

Fact: Utter nonsense! Cats are smart, so it may appear they are "luckier" than dogs.”  From: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/07/27/dont-believe-it-exposing-10-common-myths-about-cats.aspx

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Functional, Fresh, Fast Food for our Furry Friends

“Dr. Karen Becker discusses the ins and outs of feeding an evolutionary diet to your dogs and cats.      Summary video: http://www.dogwise.com/video/video.cfm?itemid=DN302

Spun with her quick humor, Dr. Becker packs loads of information on raw feeding on her DVD.  Dr. Becker discusses in detail, the 4 types of nutrition, components of the Natural Fresh Food Diet, enemies of nutrition, the problems and consequences of feeding a biologically inappropriate diet along with therapeutic nutrition.”  Running Time: 4:00  $30.00  

http://www.naturalpetproductions.com/articles/npp.grains.pdf

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Some excerpts of Natural Pet Productions: Free Articles & Downloads

The real cost of dry pet food!
“What are you really paying for? If you know more about what’s really in those well-marketed bags of dry food, we think you’ll be more likely to add fresh foods to your animal’s diet.
How much does it cost to produce pet foods?
Most premium dog and cat foods sell for $1 – 2.00 per pound. The example below gives a detailed breakdown of a “healthy” dry food that retails for $1.50 per pound.   The manufacturer has paid 29 cents per pound for ingredients.”     More at: http://www.naturalpetproductions.com/articles/npp.costpetfood.pdf

Do Dogs and Cats Need Grains?
“The natural, ancestral diet of dogs and cats included minimal amounts of grain, yet even the “healthiest” dry foods are half grain. Help your animals live longer- feed them diets more appropriate for their bodies! Learn about the differences between the natural diet of dogs and cats and the modern diet of dry foods.
Dogs and cats are designed by nature to be primarily meat eaters
Dogs are scavengers. Their diet included almost any food that provided calories – but rarely grain.  According to a recent study by biologists Ray and Lorna Coppinger, the natural diet of dogs included ”Bones, pieces of carcass, rotten greens and fruit, fish guts, discarded seeds and grains, animal guts and heads, some discarded human food and wastes”

Cats are more selective about food by nature and anatomy: Their ancestral diet consisted of small rodents. Their usefulness to humans had much to do with their eagerness to dispatch the rodents so plentiful around human habitats.
There is almost no grain in the natural diet of dogs and cats.”  More at: http://www.naturalpetproductions.com/articles/npp.grains.pdf

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Orphaned Siberian Tiger Cubs Are Readied for New Life in Wild

Three orphaned Siberian tiger cubs sitting on a snowy trail.  WCS

"Last fall, in the frigid, snowy forests of the Russian Far East, three wild tiger cubs lost their most important ally: their mother. Our story began on Nov. 29 with a phone call to the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) office in Vladivostok.  He requested our assistance in capturing the four-month-old cubs, which had created a stir near a small village by attempting to make a meal out of a farmer’s dog.

The cubs most likely lost their mother to poachers.  Sadly, female tigers with cubs are more susceptible to poaching; rather than fleeing from humans, mother tigers will stand their ground to defend their cubs.  After their mother died, these three cubs likely remained where their mother left them until hunger drove them to abandon their vigil.”  More at:  http://e360.yale.edu/digest/orphaned_siberian_tiger_cubs_readied_for_life_in_wild/3753/

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The Most Common Reasons Cats Throw Up…

“Adults of any species typically have trouble digesting the milk of another species — and that includes cats. Like humans, many cats like milk, but are also lactose intolerant, and cow's milk offers little nutritional value to your kitty.

Treats and Milk as Potential Culprits

Another area to look at is kitty treats. What I see a lot of in my practice is cat parents who feed a very high quality food, but then give really trashy treats to their pets.

When you look at the label on your cat's treats and see they contain things like propylene glycol, FDC red #4, ethoxyquin, chemical dyes or emulsifiers, surfactants, and other stuff you can't pronounce, it's a sure sign you shouldn't be feeding it to your furry feline.

All those additives, preservatives and just plain junk can cause GI inflammation, which causes vomiting.

Last but not least is milk. Most mammals drink milk if it's offered, but it's important that it's milk from the same species. Gastrointestinal issues arise from drinking milk (‘nursing') from a different species.

Your kitty doesn't have the enzymes required to break down the milk sugar in cow's milk -- his pancreas doesn't secrete the lactase necessary to break down the lactose in cow's milk. The result? Secondary GI symptoms, including vomiting.”   More at: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/11/09/vomitting-pet-cat-health.aspx

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On This Day:

Congress establishes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mar 11, 1779:

“On this day in 1779, Congress establishes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to help plan, design and prepare environmental and structural facilities for the U.S. Army. Made up of civilian workers, members of the Continental Army and French officers, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers played an essential role in the critical Revolutionary War battles at Bunker Hill, Saratoga and Yorktown.

In subsequent years, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers evolved from providing services for the military to helping map out the uncharted territories that would become the western United States. Beginning in 1824, the Corps also took responsibility for navigation and flood control of the nation's river systems.

Today, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers is made up of more than 35,000 civilian and enlisted men and women. In recent years, the Corps has worked on rebuilding projects in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as the reconstruction of the city of New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.”

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Yesterday:

Just after I hit the ‘publish’ button yesterday morning at 7.00AM, the power went out.  It had been raining hard in the night and it was pitch black outside.  I groped for a flashlight in the desk drawer, and worked my way back into the bedroom where I keep those hands-free little lights that you clip on your clothes. Fortunately the coffee was already made, and the cat and dog had been fed as I had been up since 5.00AM.  I watched the sun rise from the porch, and as soon as it was light, I tried to busy myself with things to do that didn’t require electricity.  I cleaned patio door panes, TV screens, cat boxes, etc, then I ran out of things to do.  The power company called with their recorded message saying a tree was on a line and it should be fixed by 3.00PM.  I turned on my laptop and plugged my phone line into it, but I hadn’t used it for such a long time that it was just sat there updating everything. 

Just as I was putting new batteries in the radio, Ray came over and we opened all the doors in the workshop for light, and put the new water and drain hoses on the old yellow washing machine.  It used to be in Ray’s utility room, but when I took it to the repair shop Mark didn’t know if he could find the parts to fix it. So I had bought another one for Ray.  Mark did fix it, and I had kept it for a spare. As I had to take my white one over the scales last week, this yellow one should come in handy, even though I don’t like the color. 

The lights came back on at 11.00AM while we were installing the hoses, and so we wrestled it in place and tried it out.   It agitates so much faster than my old sick white one. But there was a water leak.  It wasn’t the hoses, so it must be that the water mixing valve froze and cracked while it was stored.  I did several loads of clothes, and then Ray came back over and we disconnected it.  I bought it used in 1994 after the flood drowned the other white one that I had, so I think I have had my money’s worth out of it.  I’ll take it back to the repair shop, and either get it fixed if Mark has another water mixing valve for it, or just buy another matching set when I go to town next Wednesday. 

RVers, Do You Want To Workamp? Your Resume. Porch Door. Pine Needles.

I kinda left this announcement too late, unless you are right there, but maybe you can find out about the next one:

"Learn about workamping at April event:

Workamper News Rendezvous set for April 26-28 in Heber Springs, Arkansas. Fourteen seminars will be held in a classroom setting at the new Heber Springs Community Center.
 
Attendees will learn from experts who will provide both practical and advanced strategies for living the Workamper lifestyle. They learn about RV maintenance and technical help, talk with employers about their opportunities, have fun and fellowship and enjoy food and entertainment. They can learn out books and CDs that are available through the Workamper bookstore and become a certified workamper by completing an education track.

The weather is typically nice that time of year in the southern doorstep of the Ozark mountains, and those who plan to attend with RVs can enjoy the outstanding campsites at the Corps of Engineer Campgrounds on Greers Ferry Lake."
Click here for more information. 
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Your resume:

"Almost every resume is full of words that suggest the person is someone worthy of a spot on the team, yet few of them explain what they have actually done in their place of work to prove that they really possess these attributes.
Some of the biggest "offenders" I see repeated over and over again on resumes include:

1. reliable
2. loyal
3. trustworthy
4. great sense of humor
5. conscientious
6. helpful
7. innovative
8. seasoned
9. results-oriented
10. dependable
11. detail oriented
12. highly motivated
13. versatile
14. independent
15. self-starter

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Workampers Needed:

"Jobs are now available for singles and couples at the Riverside Resort & RV Park located between Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park in Southern Utah. Flexible terms, work for site only, or site and cash. Perfect location for outdoorsy persons.

Jobs available are: Front Desk (x3), Lawn Maintenance (x1 or 2), Handy Man (x2), Events Coordinator (x1 or 2). Preferred work dates are April 15th through September 30th. Experience preferred. Must have own rig. Front Desk must have cheery attitude, basic office skills and MUST have computer skills."
Send Resume and photo of self and your rig (pets are ok).

For more information about us, visit us on the web at http://www.riversideresort-utah.com/
(If you look at the monthly rate page, you will see that it says 'workampers wanted')
14 hours for 30 amp   -   16 hours for 50 amp   -    based on one or 2 persons   -  utilities included
With pay is the same for the site. Any extra hours worked are paid by the hour. Rate depends on the job."
From: http://www.rvnetwork.com/index.php?showtopic=90306&pid=442538&st=0&#entry442538
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 Workers On Wheels


Current Job Openings for RVers.  Subscribe to our Workers On Wheels E-zine. There's no cost.   ~ Workers On Wheels
"Here are some of the most recently listed job openings. These are just a few of them. Go to the website to see all of them.
~ AZ: Pay for All Hours Worked, Plus Site with Paid Electric
~ CA: Help Wanted, Pays Hourly Wage, at RV Resort
~ IA: Seasonal Help Wanted - Work for Site, Pay for Extra Hours
~ OR: Volunteer Fairgrounds Host – Wallowa County Fair Board
~ TX: Camp Hosts Needed - Some Barter, Some Pay
The freshest ads are on the April Job Listings page. Go to the page listed below to see them all, including details and contact information."
~ April Job Listings For the archives of previously posted job listings, see the monthly job index page.  Job Listing Index
____________________

314 Opportunities Found at:  http://www.volunteer.gov/gov/results.cfm
____________________

Texas state parks looking for volunteers

"April is National Volunteer Month, and folks who love state parks, hunting and fishing in Texas have plenty to celebrate. In 2010, volunteers provided close to 955,000 hours of service worth an estimated $16.9 million to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Texas State Parks and Historic Sites alone receive volunteer service saving TPWD’s State Parks Division almost $10 million per year in avoided costs for administrative, maintenance, interpretive, and park host duties throughout the state.

Volunteers are also vital for wildlife management areas and state fish hatcheries. And TPWD has entire education programs that could not function without large and well-trained corps of statewide volunteers, including hunter, boater and angler education and archery instruction."
Info at : http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/involved/volunteer/spdest/
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Work From Home Resources by Rae :http://travelswithmiranda.uskeba.ca/

Posted By Rae on January 20, 2010
"There are some legitimate ‘work from home’ sites out there, although not nearly as many as there are scams! I’ve been able to get work (contracts) through the following sites:
Elance and Guru
I’ve lumped these two together because they are quite similar. Both are sites where freelancers can showcase their skills in many fields as well as browse for, and bid on, projects. While there is a lot of work to be found on both sites, I’ve found it hard to compete with members who live in south east Asia and are willing to work for a dollar or two an hour, plus Elance and Guru take a cut from what you earn. Still, a couple of bucks an hour is better than no bucks an hour and I go to these sites when I’m desperate to bring in something. Both sites offer a free, basic, membership as well as paid levels. I don’t pay.
Editfast
Editfast is a site for professional editors, proofreaders, and writers. Once you pass the rigorous requirements to be accepted on the site, including proofreading and writing tests, you get to build a profile page showcasing your skills. Companies looking for editors, proofreaders, and writers can search for a contractor matching their criteria. Editfast acts as the middle person and takes a cut of the profits, but you can adjust your rates to take into account this percentage. It’s through this site that I got my first writing contract. Check out my Editfast profile.
Homejobstop
There is a small fee to join Homejobstop and, yes, I do earn a commission if you sign up through the above link. That said, this site is a great resource with links to tons of legitimate telecommuting positions. Most are in the US, but there are some in Canada and the UK, and even more with no geographic restrictions. They charge a fee because the site does not accept advertisements. There are no scams or links to ‘get rich quick’ schemes, just everything from sites offering paid surveys to postings by companies looking for full-time, salaried employees. While I haven’t found a permanent position from the postings on this site, I have found a couple of short contracts which have more than paid for my $9 sign up fee.
Finally, there’s
Genuine Jobs
This site is a recent find; I haven’t found any work through this site yet. As far as I can tell, they pull postings for telecommuting jobs from other sources, kind of like an RSS feed. I’ve seen postings at Genuine Jobs that I recognize from Craigslist and Canada Job Bank. Like with Homejobstop, and any other job search site, for that matter, I research the company to make sure it’s legit before sending off my resume.
While a full-time, work-from-home position with a salary and benefits would be great, I would also be happy earning a full-time income from a variety of small projects. The above-mentioned sites, and a few other resources, are slowly, but surely, making my dream of employment from home a reality. Maybe they’ll do the same for you."
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Work at Home Now is recommended by the Wall Street Journal
"1  Search the FRESHEST LEADS FIRST... TODAY'S FREE SCREENED JOB LEADS!   And, for "early notice" and exclusive job leads, be sure to sign up for our free email updates/bulletin using the form in the upper right corner of this page!
2  View our free list of HIRERS and JOBS BY TYPE of work using the menu on the left side of the page.
3  Then conduct some searches on your own by using some of OUR FAVORITE GOOGLE SEARCH TERMS.  (Be sure to read our tips for spotting scams before you start your search.)  "
More at: http://ratracerebellion.com/
__________________________

Those should keep you busy for a while!

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Yesterday:

Bobcat managed to roll in something nasty.  She is so fat that she can't wash her back, so I gave her a shower in the grooming room bathtub.  She protested vocally, but she has had baths before, so knew to trust me and holds still.  She has found out over the years that I might do something unpleasant to her, but she feels better afterwards.












The weather was great, not hot, not humid, and ideal for letting her dry on the screen porch.
Later, I took her in the dog room and blow brush-dried her, to get any dampness gone.
------------------

Today:

Jay and I left Ray alone to sand, prime and paint in the cargo trailer, while we did other things.  Not finished yet, so no pictures.
 
Each winter, after we put up the vinyl on the screen porch, there is a space where the little hidden door  lets cold air in during the winter, so I had resorted to stuffing towels down the crack, to keep the plants warm.  Also, it is not bug proof in the summer.  Little lizards have found their way in, and received a 'cat demise'. 




So Jay and I installed some blue insulation board on the inside, as a draft and bug barrier.  It took longer than we thought to cut it to follow the contour of the siding.








The door was put there in case of emergency, but we never use it, as there is a patio door in my living room going into the screen porch.

Then we replaced a broken translucent panel in the roof of the attic over the guest house.  While Jay was up there, he raked the pine needles off that roof, roof of  the RVport, and pergola. 

The house's composition roof hadn't kept any pine needles, the winds had blown them off, so we didn't have to blow that off today.

Kicks on Route 66. P & N Now in California.

"Life doesn't happen along the interstates. It's against the law."
-- William Least Heat Moon, Blue Highways
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While I was on RV-Dreams chat last night, the little Skype icon came up that Pamala and Nigel were wanting to talk to me.   They are my brother and sister-in-law visiting from England, on their way to Alaska and back.  This monitor doesn't have a microphone or webcam, so I have a Skype phone.  I didn't even take the time to plug it into the back of my computer, I was so anxious to hear from them.  So we just started typing.

These are excerpts from our conversation:

[6/30/2010 10:05:51 PM] Nigel & Pamala: "We have just crossed into California and parked at RV park at Needles.

[6/30/2010 10:06:45 PM] Nigel & Pamala: We are having a brilliant time and yes we are taking lots of pics - it's so good with the digital camera as we can delete what we don't want, who ever thought up that idea should receive a gold medal.

[6/30/2010 10:07:57 PM] Nigel & Pamala: We are downloading them onto the computer and then saving them on a usb stick just in case the something happens to the computer.

[6/30/2010 10:09:02 PM] Nigel & Pamala:  We had a glorious few days on a beautiful campsite at Kaw Lake, Ponca City cleaning it and enjoying putting things to right.  ***

[6/30/2010 10:10:06 PM] Nigel & Pamala:  Last two days we have camped in National Parks, so no electric.

[6/30/2010 10:17:19 PM] Nigel & Pamala: The camp site at Kaw Lake was Corp. Eng. and was $12.00 per night - national park ones range from $12 to $18.00 but no electric.   It's OK to go a couple of nights without electric but the cameras need charging - which we are just doing now and the computer just conked out because of low battery, but all OK now.

[6/30/2010 10:18:52 PM] Nigel & Pamala: The air conditioning is working perfectly.  We were surprised that the last two nights we have not needed the aircon.  When we were near and at G. Canyon the temp. during the day was around 85-90 and during the night it went down to 52-55 - so a pleasure, something we were not expecting.

[6/30/2010 10:20:36 PM] Nigel & Pamala: Our friends in California are going to Lake Tahoe as they have a cabin there, they wanted to know if we would be there with them, but a couple of days ago, we thought not as we didn't think we would get this far by now.  We still wanted to get to Monterey to check on mother's birth, but I think it will not be possible as it will probably be Sat. before we can get there, so you never know, we might make it up to Lake Tahoe.

[6/30/2010 10:21:42 PM] Penny: You are going to be stuck if you can't get somewhere by this w/e, the 4th. July!

[6/30/2010 10:23:21 PM] Nigel & Pamala: We camped at Desert View last night which is the furthest easterly point of the Canyon and sat outside for a lecture yesterday evening by one of the rangers giving us the history of the Canyon.   This morning up early and got to the more touristy bit and asked about a flight.  We were on the plane by 10.45 and other than having the children and getting married, I think that was one of the best things we have done in our lives, much, much better than walking to every viewpoint, especially for me.  It cost $191.00 each - we had given our selves a limit of $200.00 - we felt it was a once in a lifetime chance and went for it - no regrets.

[6/30/2010 10:27:10 PM] Nigel & Pamala: Santa Fe was not on our route.  When we hit Route 66, didn't realize it would be so difficult to find parts of it, but soon realized it would not be possible to do it all in the time we had...  It would take a year to do it!

[6/30/2010 10:28:50 PM] Nigel & Pamala: We have pulled off the I-40 to lots of towns mentioned in our books and seen a lot of the old Route 66 interesting bygones.

[6/30/2010 10:29:32 PM] Nigel & Pamala: We also visited the painted desert and the petrified forest - nearly didn't go all the way to the petrified forest, but glad we did now.

[6/30/2010 10:32:48 PM] Nigel & Pamala: We had just come over the border into Arizona and the Tourist Information office said the next RV park was at Holbrook about 70 miles away and it was getting late - so we asked someone in a gift shop and she mentioned one at Sanders which was only a little way down the road, it was brilliant.   As we spoke to some locals and found there was a diner left over from the Route 66 days and was still in operation, so we went and had breakfast in there the next day - they were really nice people and it was the type of thing we were looking for, so it was meant to be."

I guess if Pamala and Nigel won't blog, I guess I will!!

***  Howard and Linda stayed there:
RV-Dreams.com    Journal Site 46.

Dates: October 8, 2006 - October 15, 2006
____________________

Today:

Ray and I had to put some screws on the handle/armrest on the Aerostar passenger door.  The screws had fallen out while Jay and I were in the next town, yesterday.

One thing led to another, and we found that some screws had been 'mis-filed' in their little bins. So we sorted that out.

Then Ray removed some more of the contractor's caulk that was yellowy, and re-caulked around my ivory tub/shower in the master bathroom.  We had re-done the small bathroom years ago.  My area of the house is always the last part to be done!  While he was doing that, I was going through a pile of darned junk snail mail, tearing my name and address off, and shredding it.  And I am on the DO NOT SEND LIST!!

Cooler and overcast again.  We have had some rain, and our high here was 86.6 with 75% humidity, today.

Don't Fall for These Tricks. Santa Rosa, Rte. 66

Don't Fall For These Labeling tricks:

"The benefits of 100% whole grains are piling up faster than endorsement offers in Michael Phelps's inbox. And so are the number of products touting whole grains on their labels. The trouble?
Labels don't always present an accurate picture of what's inside, and the product that appears to be good for you on the label may have all the nutritional goodness of a gum wrapper.

 Why do you want whole grains? They contain the bran and the germ of the grain, which have more nutrients than the endosperm (those are the real names -- we didn't make them up) that you get with refined or enriched grains.

Whole grains are absorbed more slowly than foods made from enriched or bleached flour, so they raise glucose and insulin levels less and keep YOU feeling fuller longer.

A diet rich in whole grains may also help steer you around cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, even gum disease -- not to mention the pain of having to buy bigger pants.

But not all foods that tout whole grain or whole wheat provide it in the healthiest form. You want the grain to have all of its original components. Here are a few fake-out label words to watch for:

Made with whole grains: It may have a pinch of whole grains, but unless it's 100%, you won't reap most of the potential benefits.

Multigrain: This tells you nothing about whether the grains are whole or refined. Even if you're getting 38 different grains, that isn't much good if they are all refined.

Whole grain: If the label doesn't say "100% whole grain," it may have many grain blends. Bad words to see paired with "flour": enriched, bleached, unbleached, semolina, durum, and rice.


What it should say: "100% whole grain" or "100% whole wheat." "

From: http://www.realage.com/blogs/doctor-oz-roizen/dont-fall-for-these-label-tricks?click=p4link1

RealAge Benefit:
Choosing whole grains rather than processed grains can make your RealAge 1.2 years younger if you are a man and 2.3 years younger if you are a woman.
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Today:

Not a lot going on, mostly tending to my doggies after their surgeries, and just getting a few jobs done, like washing the bathroom rugs, and some cooking.

I heard from Pamala and Nigel.  They are on Route 66 going westward:  http://www.legendsofamerica.com/66-main.html

They have gone through TX on Route 66:
"Almost immediately after leaving the rolling hills of Oklahoma, you feel different as you enter the vast plains of the Texas Panhandle. It is easy to imagine how it might have once been to be a lone-rider in the midst of what was a wild and primitive country just a little more than a century ago. It is here that old Route 66 stretched across the Llano Estacado (the Staked Plains) and where the romance of cattle-driving days still drifts through the many small towns of the Texas Prairie.
As for the Mother Road, when you glance at a map, Route 66 looks as if it is easy to follow. Though more than 150 miles of the original 178 miles that crossed Texas still remain, you will actually need to keep your eyes wide open in order to not miss the vintage architecture and many landmarks that dot the landscape." 
More at: http://www.legendsofamerica.com/66-texasroad.html


Now, they are in New Mexico, and tonight they are staying at the US Army Corps of Engineers
Santa Rosa Lake Recreation Area: http://www.spa.usace.army.mil/recreation/sr/index.htm

"When Route 66 was completed through Santa Rosa in 1930, transportation services again increased in the city. During the days of early Route 66, after travelers had tired of the long, hot, dusty miles, Santa Rosa became known as a welcome and well-known oasis in the desert. Travelers arrived in Santa Rosa to eat, rest, and perform car repairs, if necessary, at the many motels, cafes and service stations that lined the highway.
The old road ran into town past the 81-foot-deep Blue Hole and Park Lake, a motorist campground and source of water during the Depression. Scenes in Rudolfo Anaya's award-winning novel, Bless Me, and John Steinbeck's, Grapes of Wrath, took place on Route 66 at the Pecos River Bridge."
More at:  http://www.legendsofamerica.com/nm-santarosa.html
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"The numerical designation 66 was official assigned to the Chicago-to-Los Angeles route in the summer of 1926.
Route 66 starts in Chicago, Illinois and ends in Santa Monica, California.
The Corvette has become a Route 66 icon.
91% of the original Route 66 is still in use in Texas."
More at: http://www.legendsofamerica.com/66-facts.html
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I sure wish I was on that trip, today.