2013 New Year’s Resolutions

There are a lot of facts about how well people stick to New Year’s Resolutions. Instead of making New Year’s Resolutions you already know you won’t keep, consider contributing to or joining some of the following:

 

Interfaith Works provides shelter, food, and clothing to
         low-income and homeless neighbors.

Upcoming Event: Companies Caring Breakfast 2013

Join 300 corporate leaders, public officials, foundations, community partners, and friends from the faith community on March 1, 2013 to celebrate our partnership to help those in need.

www.iworksmc.org

 

Gaithersburg HELP is a year-round food pantry serving the Gaithersburg community since 1968.

Donation by credit card: More Information

Alternate Giving: More Information

Volunteers Critically needed: More Information

www.gaithersburghelp.org/

 

The Dwelling Place, founded 21 years ago, is a housing program that provides transitional housing and support services in Montgomery County, helping families transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency.

Upcoming Event: Carnival of Chocolates in the Spring of 2013 - details to be announced

Upcoming Event: Community Breakfast in the Summer of 2013 - details to be announced

Upcoming Event: 25th Anniversary Dinner - Fall of 2013 - details to be announced

www.dwellingplaceinc.org/

 

Memory Lane - Do You Remember Major Mudd?

101 ways you know you're from Boston:
      #55. You remember Major Mudd.
 
Ed McDonnell (AKA Major Mudd) was the host of The Major Mudd Show, the long-running New England kids show (1961-1975) on WNAC-TV, Channel 7, in Boston, featuring cartoons and Three Stooges shorts. He passed away in 1976.

My brother Frank and I had our picture taken at Zayre's in Revere Massachusetts with Major Mudd! He was the first real live celebrity we ever met. Of course, I had on my best red hat!

How You Can Make A Difference - Read On

Being behind in my devotional reading, I am always amazed at how God points me to just the right reading for the day at hand. Today it is Our Daily Bread's 5/11/12 devotional entitled "A Sense Of Concern" by Bill Crowder (http://odb.org/2012/05/11/a-sense-of-concern/). He cites fearsome statistics which to most Americans seem unbelievable - " Every year 15 million people die from hunger." "In 2008, nearly 9 million children died before their fifth birthday, with a third of those deaths related to hunger."

Mr. Crowder lists a number of practical things that can be done to help others: "volunteering at a soup kitchen, assisting in a job search, financially supporting the drilling of wells in places in need of fresh water, distributing food in poverty-stricken regions, teaching a trade, or providing lunches for school children."

The Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church Youth program will be embarking on an international trip this summer to Guatemala to assist those less fortunate. At the bottom of my landing page is a letter describing how you can help by helping the helpers.

Please prayerfully read on. 

1)     Mail or take your check to:

            Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church

            Attn: Calvin Park / Guatemala          
            610 S. Frederick Ave.
           Gaithersburg, MD 20877

 

2)     Include:

Donor's Name and Address. [1]

            Name of participant you are supporting (if known).

NB:
To receive your tax deduction in 2012, GPC must receive your donation by December 31^st.

[1] A receipt for your tax-deductible gift will be mailed to the Donor’s address given.

Thought For The Day - Habakkuk 3:1

At one of my Bible study classes, the instructor handed out a devotional by Charles Spurgeon. Few things in my life impacted me the way these Morning and Evening devotions did.

This fall has been a challenge and the past 10 days in particular. So, today's devotion based on Habakkuk 3:6 hit home:

He stopped and shook the earth; he looked and made the nations tremble. The eternal mountains were shattered; along his ancient pathways the everlasting hills sank low. (NRSV)

 

Spurgeon’s observation is:

"Human action is frequently the hasty result of passion, or fear, and is followed by regret and alteration; but nothing can take the Almighty by surprise, or happen otherwise than he has foreseen." (CHS, Morning, December 12).

Finding Ways to Share Our Blessings

Kelly D. Higgins writes about “A Chance Encounter” with a homeless person that motivated her Christian efforts to help others in need. (These Days, 11/08/12, Vol 42, No. 4). She was at a McDonald’s with her teenage son when she observed a man in well-worn clothing ordering only a small coffee. Although she felt awkward about approaching him, she overcame her discomfort and asked if he wanted some food. He replied “I most certainly would,” with dignity. His quiet dignity is what struck her the most. It was that all eyes were on her that struck me the most. I could only hope the others would be encouraged to do likewise in the future.

Many years ago, I lost an opportunity to help someone likewise in need and the truth be told, it haunts me until today. I was not feeling well and in line for an x-ray at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. I hadn’t slept well so was struggling to focus on writing my co-payment check out correctly.

The young lady next to me was almost in tears because the receptionist said there was a co-pay but the lady had no money on her. My gut reaction was this is a private matter and I tried not to eaves drop while I continued to stumble my way through my check-writing process. The lady ended up leaving in a lot of distress because she didn’t have the money for what appeared to be an important and perhaps time-sensitive test.

I realized I could help but I was too late. I left my purse on the counter and ran out the door to catch her so I could offer to pay her co-pay. Like Mrs. Higgins, all eyes were on me. Most thought I was crazy. I never found her and I felt stupid for not thinking faster even though I had my own issues.

I prayed for weeks that she was OK and got the test in time. I will never know. But the consequences are that whenever I see someone who needs help, even if it’s a buck or two in the checkout line, I make sure I do it and without hesitation.

“Action Step: Find a way to share what God has given you.” (Kelly D. Higgins, Fredericton, New Brunswick).

Photos from Trunk or Treat Event

Sorry, some of my photography is blurry.

But we had a great time!

Thanks Calvin for hosting this.

 

Review of Dell Inspiron 15R Laptop with Intel Core i7

Stay away from this Dell product. Don’t buy any Dell extended warranties - worst customer service experience I had in 30 years of computing!
 

Summary:

The hard drive on my five-month old Dell Inspiron 15 R laptop crashed. Dell returned it to me with the wrong operating system, corrupt drivers, and less than half the original applications - missing both Dell and Microsoft royalty software. Instead of Dell taking it back and fixing it on their time, since August 29^th, I spent almost a week’s worth of my time on the phone while Dell staff tried to reinstall and/or repair software and drivers.  Tragically, as of 10/29/12, I still do not have back ALL the functionality I paid for.

Detail:

I spent several months looking for the right hardware/software combination to meet my personal and home-business needs. In March 2012, Costco offered the perfect match in the Dell Inspiron 15R with Windows 7 Professional, Intel Core i7, and Microsoft Office 2010. Although it cost almost $1,000 USD, everything I needed was pre-installed.

The Inspiron 15R worked perfectly until mid-August when the hard drive began to fail. Although it was an inconvenience, I wasn’t worried because the laptop was well within both the Costco and Dell warranty periods. Little did I know then that my Dell Support nightmare was just beginning.

Hurdle 1. The “replacement” hard drive had the wrong operating system! After debating with Dell’s Tier 2 technical support for 20 minutes, I finally got to a supervisor. He strong-armed me into staying on the phone while he installed Windows 7 remotely and applied multi-dozens of related software updates. Three hours later, I went to bed leaving him to finish it up himself.

 Hurdle 2. Before leaving for work the next morning, I tried to create a system recovery CD only to find Dell DataSafe Local Backup was missing.  It only took Dell’s Tier 2 technical support 20 minutes to install this remotely.

 Hurdle 3. As soon as I got home, I booted up the laptop to find the flash screen still suspiciously looked like Home Office. Indeed, it was. Madder than a wet hen, I called Dell’s Tier 2 technical support for the third time. It was ugly. The first tech hung up on me. I hung up on the second tech. The third tech listened to me re-explain my dilemma and after another 15-minute debate, he finally put me through to a supervisor. Again I was strong-armed into staying on the phone for hours while this guy redid what the other guy supposedly did the night before.

Hurdle 4. With Windows 7 Professional finally installed, I tried to do my normal computing only to find the keyboard acted like it had epilepsy. The left lower corner was loose too. I knew it had to be the Dell Depot staff because it was fine before.  A fourth call to Dell’s Tier 2 technical support revealed the Touchpad driver was corrupt. But, of course, he couldn’t tighten the loose keyboard remotely so I had to act the Tim the Toolman Taylor.

Hurdle 5 and counting. As time passes, I keep finding the software that was not re-installed at Dell Depot. Each time I call, Dell Technical Support's solution is to wipe out everything I have on there and start over.  To date, Dell "wiped out" my computer four times. Two weeks ago another tech wanted to wipe it out a fifth time but I refused.  

I argued with them each time to take the whole laptop back and make it right on their time but they would not. Their staff time might be cheap, but mine is not. I keep asking for some compensation for weeks of lost productivity and time I could have spent building my business, but no. They refused.

 

Until this experience I was pro Dell. Now, I will run away from Dell products as fast as I can.

Trunk or Treat Event

Hi everyone,

If you are looking for a good way to celebrate Halloween without the hassle of prowling the neighborhoods, Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church is holding a Trunk or Treat event.

All are welcome.
610 South Frederick Avenue
Gaithersburg, MD 20877

See flyer below:

US Presidential Race - Remember the Alamo

I hate politics with a passion. Yet, there are times when one has to speak out. I look at candidates based on what they say and. more importantly, what they did. After all, any idiot can make a promise of what he might do in the future. And, as sung in the musical Annie, tomorrow is only a day away. But, what happens when tomorrow becomes today?

To answer Mr. Willard Mitt Romney’s attack ads: Yes, I am better off than I was four years ago.

I had a high-paying, satisfying career job - until President, George H. W. Bush, ran the economy into the ground. As someone who suffered without a job for over a year-and-a-half, I recall well that it took about six years for Bill Clinton to get the country back in working order.

Remember the Alamo: President Clinton left office with the economy in a huge surplus!

Then George W. Bush took office and created an even worst economic disaster than his father!

When Barack Obama won, I knew it would take longer than six years to fix the economy George HW tanked but I was glad to wait.

I have a job now but it is hardly the career of my dreams. It is unarguably clear that the Bush and Republican backed policies of the past 20 years, created these severe economic conditions we continue to suffer from. Their business and public policy decisions sent my job outside the US. The reason Obama couldn’t keep his promise of three-year turnaround is because the Republicans, individually and as corporate entities, created that big a mess!

If the Republicans are so great at taking care of the rest of us or giving to the poor, why do they still have all the big bucks while the rest of us are living paycheck to paycheck?

There is an attack on the middle class. How do I know? Because several of my friends are Republicans. They give some money to charity but they are on record as saying they do not want to share their wealth! Quite frankly, I don’t know any poor Republicans. While Republicans can be nice people, they have no clue what it’s really like to be poor or at a disadvantage. I was just listening to the song “What It's Like” by Everlast – the explicit version. Carefully check out the lyrics some time. But the refrain says it all, if Romney ever experienced poverty and lost hope “Then (he) really might know what it's like”! So, I ask Mr. Romney, is eating on a daily basis really your idea of “entitlement" for 47% of US Citizens?

Remember the Alamo: Don't put the group back in office who continue to create the mess we can't escape!

Regarding local issues:
No, Mr. O’Malley, a new Maryland casino isn’t going to give me back the job of my dreams. As we get closer to Vote day, the pro casino ads are finally detailing what they consider “great” jobs: waitressing and construction. Well, have you ever asked a construction worker what happens to him when “the” job is done? Yup, he goes on unemployment. And, I have arthritis in my hands and feet as well as a bad back so there is no way I can stand on my feet 8-12 hour shifts to carry food trays to hungry customers most likely grumpy as all get go because they lost money.

The other thing to keep in mind is that the wealthy stay wealthy by getting the rest of us penned up  with go-nowhere jobs, like casinos, and business policies that always give them the upper hand and tax breaks we won’t get. Keeping us poorly educated while their children go to prep and ivy-league schools is also a long-used tactic. But, that’s several paragraphs for another day.

 

How should you vote?

US President:

“For” the  DEMOCRATIC PARTY:

   Barack Obama, President

   Joe Biden, Vice President

“Against” Maryland Question 7:

    "the Additional Forms and Expansion of Commercial Gaming"

Maryland Question 7: Why I Vote "No" to More Casinos.

There have been 100s of ads and newspaper articles about Maryland's Question 7 to approve another casino. Every major area newspaper says adding another casino will be bad for Maryland.

The casinos are spending millions ($24M per one article) on ads that could better be used to feed the homeless, the hungry, and the unemployed.

The Maryland-casino supporters want you to think that casinos are great because "some" money "might" go to Maryland education. They want you to think these will be "good" jobs. They want you to think it's a "fight" between West Virginia and Maryland.

All these proposals are crap, plain and simple.

Even after 20 years living here, I still find it hard to believe folks just do NOT know right from wrong. Gambling was, isn't, and never will be a good thing. Gambling is not a form of entertainment. While there are a few people who play for fun, most gamblers have addictive-leaning personalities, if not an actual addiction.

At my nail salon a month ago, one manicurist mentioned her mom only plays cards for nickels and dimes. I asked her how much a day does her mom lose and the manicurist said $5. While that doesn't sound like a lot, $5 a day is $150 a month. When I pointed that out, everyone in the shop was shocked.

Let's talk about what kind of jobs casinos offer. These days, employers get away with too much just by shouting "jobs" in a way similar to shouting "Fire" in a crowded theater. Watch which jobs you run to. You may be heading into the flames, not away from them. Casino ads say the average salary is $55,000. If you have 2000 employees, the CEO can make hundreds of thousands of dollars while the rest of the casino workers make only $20,000. Did you read the fine print? It notes that this salary includes benefits (i.e., no moeny directly in your pocket) and tips! How much in tips do you get from losers/ Remember, casinos are a business and they can't stay in business if players win too much or too often.

It is also true that the casino doesn't have to hire Marylanders. (They will have to bring people in from other places to at least train the locals.)

We are finally getting details on these 12,000 jobs: hotel staff, restaurant employees, some accountants and engineers. Do you like cleaning toilets? How about busing tables? What about being a bouncer? That's what the bulk of the casino jobs are. I am not an accountant or engineer so those few positions won't work for my masters degree in research.

And, have you ever provided customer support? How well do you deal with people who are drunk, people who yell because they are losing, or people who lost all of their money and have no way to get home? What if somone asks you to help them cheat? This is what it's really like to work at a casino per friends of mine who lived outside Los Vegas for decades.

The goal to provide for education from something I consider immoral is like covering candy with yogurt - some of it is good for you but most of it isn't. Today's Washington Examiner has an article about how DC agencies fail to follow Watchdog’s advice. There is no guarantee that the money will be spent the way you intended. If you want money to go to a specific place, then send it there yourself.

And since when are we at "war" with West Virginia? Aren't casinos already catering to your dark side if they want to get you to engage in an imaginary fight?

How should you vote?

"Against the Additional Forms and Expansion of Commercial Gaming"

See more: http://washingtonexaminer.com/letters-to-the-editor-sept.-28-2012/article/2509233
See more: http://improvemaryland.blogspot.com/2012/09/why-ill-vote-no-for-maryland-question-7.html

 

Updated 10/07/2012

PEPCO Feedback: Facebook Option

I can't believe PEPCO's arrogance in earning billions in profits and still asking for more money.

Here's an easy way to make a comment on Facebook using local channel TV 9, USA:

VOTE 2012 – Why You Need to Consider this

Yes. I am a born and bred Democrat but in my first US Presidential election, I voted for John Anderson who converted from being a Republican to an Independent. I vote on the issues, and, echoing debates with my dearly departed husband (a political science major), when I vote, it’s mostly to change from the current administration – whoever they may be.

Do you really want to know why the US is in the financial mess we are in? If so, read on but I issue fair warning, what I say will be harsh.

We are in the financial mess we are today because of Republican hands-off  business legislation, narcissistic-level feelings of entitlement,  the “old boys” network which in modern time even contains women, and rich people avoiding their fair share of taxes.

We have two perfect examples of where old meets new in this regard. I love Facebook but I have serious complaints about how they are handling their US taxes.

Co-founder Eduardo Saverin did NOT have to renounce his US Citizenship to work in Singapore. (If you believe that, I have a sea front property in Arizona I can let you have at a good price.) He did have to renounce his US citizenship to avoid paying his full fair share of US taxes. FYI: “Singapore does not have capital gains taxes,…”1

He would still pay but “According to Bloomberg analysis, Saverin could save $67 million in U.S. taxes by trading in his citizenship ahead of Facebook's IPO.” 2

Zuckerberg is not any better: “While Zuckerberg will pay a hefty tax bill right off the bat if he follows through on his plan to sell $5 billion in Facebook stock options, as the New York Times noted, he may then never pay a dime of taxes on the rest of his Facebook wealth. “Instead, he can simply use his stock as collateral to borrow against his tremendous wealth and avoid all tax,” the Times reported.”3

In April, I ended up chatting for half an hour with a man who works for the US government. His take on the economy wasn’t that we spend too much but we don’t take in enough! Too many people with enough money to ease the burden for all are only easing it for themselves. Yet, they get the same benefits and protections the rest of us do. Not two weeks later the news broke about Facebook.

Mr. Saverin, Mr. Zuckerberg shame on you both for avoiding you fair share in this flaring worldwide economic mess!

Sources:

1,2: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501465_162-57435318-501465/facebook-co-founder-saverin-may-avoid-$67-million-in-u.s-taxes/3: http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/05/15/484452/facebook-zuckerberg-avoid-taxes/?mobile=nc

After the Storm Hits - Food Safety

I never remember what the rules are for food safety. Thank the Internet and the government. Here are the guidelines:

"Keeping food safe when the power goes out" http://www.foodsafety.gov/blog/poweroutage.html

Remembering a Local Hero on Anniversary of his Death

I want to share a remembrance with church friends:
Private First Class Justin R. Davis, 19, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, died in Korengal Outpost, Afghanistan (near Kunar Province), on June 25, 2006,...

See http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/jrdavis.htm for more details.

Heads Up for LinkedIn Users - Millions of Passwords Stolen

If you have an account on LinkedIn, be aware that over six million were stolen and posted online. While the company notified those affected, I suggest you change your password as soon as possible even if you didn't hear from them.

More importantly, if you use that same password on other accounts, they could be at risk too. Hackers will eventually branch out.  I suggest you change that password on every other account you used it on. Better safe than sorry. 

Here is one link: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/6-5-million-linkedin-passwords-stolen-posted-online-article-1.1091089

Saybrooke Community Yard Sale: Saturday, June 2nd, 8am-1pm,

Hi all,


Our community is having our third annual Yard Sale this Saturday. Starts at the intersection of Mid-County Highway and Saybrooke Oaks (La Patite is on the corner).

Saturday, June 2nd, 8am-1pm, Rain/Shine...

Lots of folks did well last year. Come on by. Hosted by Rick Riley of RE/MAX.


Ad is in the Gazette:

http://gazettenet.kaango.com/ad-saybrooke-community-yard-sale-the-biggest-in-gaithersburg-saturday-june-2nd-8am-1pm-rain-shine/20673917

Bring friends and family.

The Small Voice Urging Me to Help Others

Today's Our Daily Bread, we read about Gary who was waiting for his court case to be called when a despondent woman told her story. He felt the nudge to help her. He didn't really know what that would entail but knew the "nudge" was from God so he'd better listen up and do something. He ended up putting her in contact with folks who helped her save her house.

I was raised to be helpful, mostly to my kid brother. As I grew, it expanded to other people. Sometimes in small ways. Sometimes in medium ways. I don't immediately recall helping someone in what I call a big way - but who knows what they may have thought.

I did ignore it once and I regret it to this day. I was at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in line for an x-ray.  I wasn't feeling well so was concentrating so hard on writing my co-pay check, I didn't catch the fact that the woman in front of me didn't have enough money for her co-pay. The receptionist told her she'd have to reschedule for a time when she'd have the money. The woman left dejected.

I don't know what kind of test the woman was having or if it was something that could wait. But, I realized too late that I could have easily paid her co-pay and helped her out. I ran out of the office, leaving my purse on the counter, but could not find her.

To this day, I regret not thinking of paying for someone else sooner. What came of this experience is that  I will pay more attention in any line I'm in where money is involved. Who knows when $50 could save someone's life by catching a bad test result in time.

"Here I am Lord."

Our Daily Bread: "Here I am"

Series - Losing Our Moral Compass (Harry Thomas Jr.)

Like a lot of other people, I am not a native Washingtonian. In the almost 20 years, I’ve seen a lot of unethical behaviors come and go. However, the news story yesterday about how DC Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr. executed his kickback scheme two days after he was elected, was just too much.

Alan Suderman of the City Paper says it best “Harry Thomas Jr. wasn’t particularly subtle in how he went about stealing more than $350,000 in D.C. taxpayer funds.”  Arrogance and lack of ethics combined. “He plunked down nearly $70,000 for an SUV and $25,000 for a motorcycle. He even spent $1,374 on three pairs of what federal prosecutors describe as “exotic shoes.”"

I fail to understand why theft and lack of morality are so much a part of this area. Maybe it’s my calling to alert people to the obvious – it’s wrong to steal. It’s worse to steal from children. All I pray for is God to work this evil to an even greater good.

Source: http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/looselips/2012/05/02/who-is-watching/”

Mark Your Calendar: Paws in the Park Dog Walk and Festival

Sunday, April 29, 2012
Noon - 4 p.m.

Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm
506 S. Frederick Ave.
Gaithersburg, MD 20877

Registration is now open for the 14th Annual Paws in the Park dog walk and festival, one of the largest dog walks in the DC area. As a signature special event of the Montgomery County Humane Society, held in partnership with the City of Gaithersburg, it raises funds to help homeless and abandoned animals throughout Montgomery County.

This year’s event will take place on Sunday, April 29, from noon to 4 p.m. at Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm, 506 S. Fredrick Ave., Gaithersburg, MD, next to Gaithersburg High School.

The fun-filled afternoon includes a 1-mile walk, pet games, demos, rescue groups, a “flealess” market with over 50 pet-friendly vendors, food, music and more.

Registered walkers are encouraged to invite friends to support them through online donations. Supporters can sign on individually or by forming a team that includes family and friends, favorite breed groups, rescue organizations, companies, teams to honor or remember a pet – even the family cat. Entrance fees are $20 for an individual or $35 for a family.

To register and start fundraising online, visit www.firstgiving.com/mchsmd. Register before March 1 and be entered to win a $50 gift certificate to Addie’s (Rockville) or Black’s (Bethesda) Restaurant. Participants can also register on-site the day of the event.

Paws in the Park supports the Montgomery County Humane Society’s efforts to protect and care for unwanted, abandoned and abused animals – everything from dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs, to reptiles, birds and others. Contributions make a difference in the animals’ lives as well as assist the people who love them. Programs include life-saving medical care, off-site adoption events, animal rescue, pet retention and pet bereavement workshops, foster homes, humane education, behavior advice, affordable spay/neuter, and a network of approximately 200 partnering rescue groups.

For more information and to register, visit www.mchumane.org/Paws12.shtml.

For more information contact 240-401-8144 or jwillems@mchumane.org.

For vendor information contact Mark Winans at 301-258-6350 or mwinans@gaithersburgmd.gov.

• Download a Paws in the Park Vendor Application (pdf file)
  This form is provided in PDF format and can be viewed with the Adobe Acrobat Reader. This format will enable you to view the document as it appears in print. If you do not already have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed follow the link above to Adobe's free download area.

http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/poi/default.asp?POI_ID=577&TOC=107;84;99;577;

Asea Information

Amazing molecules! Science shows us Redox Signaling molecules protect, repair, and replace cells in your body. Asea is the world’s only Redox Signaling supplement and can only be purchased from one source, an authorized Asea distributor. Asea makes your body’s antioxidants 500% more effective and stimulates the production of antioxidants inside cells! For more information, see: "http://doreentt.teamasea.com/".

Note: Currently my Contact Me e-mail address has a typo. Leave a post here if you have questions. Thanks.

See more at: www.facebook.com/DoreenAsea

Cough and Sneeze Time of Year – What You Can Do

It never ceases to amaze me how many people have no clue what they should do when they are about to cough or sneeze in a public place. Here are the instructions from some state health agencies:

Helping the Hungry by Eating Out on Tuesday February 28th?

Yes. Once again several sponsors are hosting "Thankgiving in February." This means that if you dine at one of the participating places, a portion goes to help Montgomery County Residents.

Check out web site: www.thanksgivinginfebruary.org

Smile: These could be your in-laws

Outside Union Station, travelers are handed a lot of free papers. Yesterday, I got a copy of the China Daily and had to share an article on page 7, entitled "Goat, doe wed at Yunnan zoo". The funniest part is the title is wrong. It's a ram, not a goat. Either way, it brightened what was a sad Valentine's Day for me when I heard Changmao and Chunzi tied the knot.

Changmao (ram) and Chunzi (doe) tie the knot at Yunnan Wild Animal Park (Copyright China Daily)

We think we have debates about what constituties a marriage in the US? We must reconsider. :)

See complete story @http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2012-02/15/content_14609022.htm.

Series - Losing Our Moral Compass (Maryland Man Kills Caged Kitten)

When I grew up, my grandmother taught us to be kind to animals. If you were to ask me today, I think she loved them more than us. Either way, it sickens me to no end when I read/hear about animal cruelty.

A few weeks ago, someone shot a puppy in its own back yard. Today we read about Justin Michael Beall who admitted to killing a caged kitten.

The real outrage is that it's only a misdemeanor. Where is our humanity if that's all he's going to get?

See story at:

http://www.wusa9.com/news/article/190454/158/Md-Man-Pleads-Guilty-To-Killing-Caged-Kitten

Congratulations To Newly Appointed Presbyterian Mission Co-workers

“Four newly appointed mission co-workers have completed orientation last month in preparation for Presbyterian World Mission assignments in the Dominican Republic, Brazil and Madagascar.” Jenny Bent will serve in the Dominican Republic; Gordon and Dorothy Gartrell have returned to Brazil; Jan Heckler has been appointed to serve with the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (FJKM).

See full story at: http://www.pcusa.org/news/2012/2/8/new-beginnings/

Left to right: Jan Heckler, Mark Hare (married to Jenny Bent, seen holding their daughter Annika), Dorothy Gartrell, Jenny Bent (holding her daughter Keila), Gordon Gartrell. —Photo by Katie Rhodes.

Apple Inc Should Go Green

My current desktop PC, a Dell Dimension 3000, is 6.5 years old and showing signs that it wants to retire. Instead of waiting until the last minute, I began searching for its replacement. Although I was never a Mac fan, many friends and co-workers have the iPad 2 and brief views of its functionality got me to reconsider my long-standing negative opinion of Apple products.

Four months later, I still have not decided to get a Windows 7 laptop or an iPad 2. Whenever I got close to picking one over the other, of course, some obscure point popped up and I was back on the fence. Now there's a third option since the local USA TV station is running a Kindle Fire Give Away contest. I entered every day.

As of today, the latest worry point involves, you guessed it, Apple products. My neighbor worked with Macs his whole publishing career and he claims the iPad can't attach to a printer so there is no way to get the documents "out of the icloud." (I don't know about you but I want my stuff with me, not floating in either Microsoft's, Apple's, or even Google's air space.) Next, my friend told me to wait to buy the iPad 2 because Apple is about to release the iPad 3 and she is expecting the iPad 2 prices to go down a lot.

This last point is what stuck in my craw. Apple products can't be upgraded. When there's a new version, one has to throw the old one away. Didn't Apple get the Save the Planet recycling memo? For all the annoying things that Microsoft products do and don't do, and I could write encyclopedias on my own personal experiences, you can upgrade to the next version.

So, my suggestion to Apple is "Go Green." Save the planet so you can still take a bite of an apple. --- Signed: the purchasing public!

Series - Losing Our Moral Compass (Lululemon Killer Looks for Mercy)

When I heard the pleas for mercy this morning on the TV from the family of Brittany Norwood, the woman convicted of murdering her co-worker at the Bethesda Lululemon clothing store last year, I told myself I had to blog about it.

Yes, I am an Elder in the Presbyterian Church but mercy and forgiveness do not mean the purpertrator gets to slide on the consequences of his or her actions. What Brittany did to Jayna Murray was not only brutal but vicious and wild.

Dear parents of Brittany, your daughter stabbed her 332 times. Hello? Are you just as nuts as she is?

Brittany Norwood (Credit: CBS/WJZ)

I also have a psychology degree and I support the conclusion that Brittany “is beyond rehabilitation.”[1] She needs to be put away forever so she can’t “lose it” again and mutilate someone else. When someone does something so heinous, he or she puts themselves “outside” of society and does not have the right to benefit from the safety of the society he or she just violated!

May Jayna rest in peace.

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  [1] http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57367154-504083/sentencing-looms-in-lululemon-store-murder-killer-brittany-norwoods-family-begs-for-mercy/