tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94276512024-03-14T10:29:01.504-04:00Kelley Bell's FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLSUpdated Weekly. Light Humor, Progressive Politics, and Daily Life from a Middle American, Middle Class Mom.Kel-Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04982430426722542837noreply@blogger.comBlogger433125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9427651.post-44899273589683272492009-04-30T09:17:00.006-04:002009-04-30T09:59:03.226-04:00Morel Mushroom Season<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISTpD3wk7A6nwWXT_MzjBmVndqskd3Ab9FjK0kjTmwE-Gav1aPfPswaRh5YTy62Yvl9w2bGUfFuIFf4I9LCQyRsJm9nbqiiZDeZayjCXGprEW5UzUZCQ_WtfWCJhSxgcmd9Lq_Q/s1600-h/morels+019.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISTpD3wk7A6nwWXT_MzjBmVndqskd3Ab9FjK0kjTmwE-Gav1aPfPswaRh5YTy62Yvl9w2bGUfFuIFf4I9LCQyRsJm9nbqiiZDeZayjCXGprEW5UzUZCQ_WtfWCJhSxgcmd9Lq_Q/s320/morels+019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330479097195025090" border="0" /></a> It's Morel season. Here in Ohio Morel mushrooms pop up in the woods during the months of April and May. Old Shroomers look forward to it every year. They all have their "secret spots" where they know Morels are likely to grow, and most would endure waterboarding before revealing their location.<br /><br />Morels are a very tasty spring time treat. One of the few things left in this world that are still seasonal, rare, and special. <a href="http://thegreatmorel.com/recipes.html">Some great recipes can be found here.</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTekxB-mPPDCXCCaMCQop_t1vs-FLge2jyT8IGElKuaQluzssaDGhBFR6q4bDflDs3bL_oFR8QaxZfL2x1cBdYBLapfl6v8ZsYriRJGvXaQoVD9Cwx-DroeGKhCuJVfgoSLcpmPA/s1600-h/mayapple9609.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 172px; height: 129px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTekxB-mPPDCXCCaMCQop_t1vs-FLge2jyT8IGElKuaQluzssaDGhBFR6q4bDflDs3bL_oFR8QaxZfL2x1cBdYBLapfl6v8ZsYriRJGvXaQoVD9Cwx-DroeGKhCuJVfgoSLcpmPA/s200/mayapple9609.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330479437649549874" border="0" /></a><br />Hunting for Morels is an art. It's like searching for treasure. They grow in the woods and only in very moist soil. Look for <a href="http://www.altnature.com/gallery/mandrake.htm">May Apples</a> in bloom growing near rotted wood on the forest floor. Apple, Elm and Poplar trees are favorite clues for trained shroom hunters.<br /><br /><br /><br /><em><a href="http://www.juliezickefoose.com/blog/index.php" target="_blank">Julie Zickefoose</a> hunts morels on her 80-acre nature preserve near Whipple Ohio. <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102920035">She writes about her priate like passion on NPR's website:</a></em><br /><br /><blockquote><p>The morel organism is a huge underground system called a mycelium, which is made up of connected fungal strands and clods that can cover acres. It can live for decades, but it doesn't put forth fruit every year. What we see aboveground — those hollow, rubbery, wrinkled manifestations — are just the fruiting bodies of the ancient, secret creature living deep beneath the ground. </p> <p>We pick ours into a mesh onion bag, and we swing it like a censer as we walk, hoping that we're spreading precious spores as we go. Back home, we rinse them briefly, then sprinkle the holy wash water back where we found them, completing a ritual of thanks to the fungus that feeds us. </p> <p>Picking morels feels like stealing treasure from the rich soil; cutting their firm, shapely forms into little wheels is a sensual pleasure. A rich, peaty smell rises up from them. When butter begins to bubble in the pan, you drop the mushrooms in, and the liquid pours out of them. They're tender in moments, and you must remove them while you reduce the sauce. A dash of white wine, a tiny dollop of mustard, green onions and a whomp of sour cream; salt to taste, and you return the little wheels to their sauce, drizzling them over rice, pasta or meat. </p><p>Morels fairly explode with complex flavor, with woodsy, earthy, mysterious notes. </p> <p>They taste like nothing else on Earth; they're in a class with truffles and caviar. And best of all, they're free.</p></blockquote><p><em></em><span style="font-style: italic;">If you decide to give Morel hunting a try, </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://thegreatmorel.com/falsemorel.html">do a little research first</a><span style="font-style: italic;">, or go with an experienced shroomer, because the "false morel" is a similar looking mushroom that grows in the same conditions and while some people tolerate it well, it ha been known to make others very sick.</span></p><p><br /></p>Kel-Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04982430426722542837noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9427651.post-5488269683635500102009-04-14T14:51:00.003-04:002009-04-14T15:13:49.856-04:00Strolling Alone in a Thunderstorm<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQ5pD3FkvXgi1SRVK3tpMdmEVXEE5JB2wjR3bxSGQoHAYqiJWl1DqRp2vgIxxeKobqhW_L-7TaKcf8rI1teusTzaBVnG_LKMB2rxhGZSrC7biWC_5G7rNXv7iWUIM6ulQT3PCmg/s1600-h/Mark+Stevens+MSCO.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 184px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324625137742285986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQ5pD3FkvXgi1SRVK3tpMdmEVXEE5JB2wjR3bxSGQoHAYqiJWl1DqRp2vgIxxeKobqhW_L-7TaKcf8rI1teusTzaBVnG_LKMB2rxhGZSrC7biWC_5G7rNXv7iWUIM6ulQT3PCmg/s200/Mark+Stevens+MSCO.JPG" /></a> <div><em>On a recent trip to New York I had some time to kill before my meeting, so I took in a lunch seminar at the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tribecca</span> YMCA in Manhattan. A fella named Mark Stevens was doing a little promo for his book <strong><a href="http://www.msco.com/Marketing/About-The-Book.html">Your Marketing Sucks</a></strong>. Mark was entertaining and informative, and the salad buffet was pretty good too.</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em>Below is Marks latest blog post. The writing is surprisingly good. I love the construction of the opening line, and the way it all ties back into a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">reinforcement</span> of the theme at the end. </em></div><div><em></em> </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong><a href="http://msco.com/blog/strolling-alone-in-a-thunderstorm">Standing Alone in a Thunderstorm</a></strong></div><br /><div>By Mark Stevens</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>When I was a teenager, the rolling, rumbling <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE1mlwUIKO0">drumbeat</a> of an oncoming thunderstorm was a clarion call for me to run outside into the slashing water and the electric bolts and take in the random beauty of nature gone wild.<br /></div><div>I did not believe lighting could strike me. I had not an iota of concern about a tree crashing down on my body. I felt <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">exhilerated</span> to be alone in God’s fireworks and to learn from them.<br />What did I learn? Well, before I get directly to that, many years later I was walking by the ocean on a December day in the salty freeze of a Maine beach. All around me, the remains of a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">thouands</span> storms were strewn by the waterfront, tree trunks laced with weeds and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">fishermens</span>’ boots, all topped by sand and sea foam.<br /></div><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHdcyue0bSw">The storms</a> and the sea shared a common element: both were shaped by the unpredictable. The random they were driven by a dynamic I could never understand or comprehend.<br />But that I could learn so much from. So what did the teen storms and the Maine beach and similar bouts with the wild teach me?<br /></div><div>*That there is little value in the linear. It is the way traditional teaching is conducted and it is why the traditional rarely leads to breakthroughs.<br /></div><div>*Putting yourself in the danger zone, out of your comfort zone, forces you to think in ways that are catalysts for change.<br /></div><div>In business, every time I have had to deal with a threat, I have grown. Not immediately or directly. There were moments of fear and indecision and concern. And then, in the midst of the dilemma, I would see through the lightning and the foam and the pieces would assemble into an arrow that would lead me to a new direction. Often to personal growth. Always to passion and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">exhileration</span>.<br /></div><div>Just this week, I spoke to a friend who is frozen in the locks of a life that is not working. No joy at work. No discovery at rest. Just the perpetual motion machine of going through the motions of an existence that can be changed if the fear of the unknown is challenged and overcome. It is not easy but nor is anything worthwhile.<br /></div><div>The only way to move through the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">ziggeraut</span> of a life of achievement is to roll the dice now and then, risk the unknown, stroll in an electric storm. In business, it means expanding into unknown markets, investing in untested advertising, funneling dollars into R&D when the only certain outcome is an expense, trusting managers who have never yet to prove themselves.<br /></div><div>There are a zillion reasons to do none of this. Played against the grand scheme of things, of the drive for success, none of these reasons are valid. They are why civil servants delight in safety. They are why risk takers roll the dice, absorb the speed bumps, detest safety nets, and invest in their companies, their team members, and in themselves, time and again.<br /></div><div>The next time I want to make a step or a leap forward, I will not attend a Harvard seminar. </div><div> </div><div>That will be me you see strolling in a hurricane.</div><br /><div></div><div><strong><em>Mark Stevens</em></strong></div><div><strong><em>CEO of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">MSCO</span></em></strong></div><div><strong><em>and Author of The </em></strong><a href="http://msco.com/blog/strolling-alone-in-a-thunderstorm"><strong><em>Unconventional Thinking </em></strong></a><strong><em>Blog</em></strong></div>Kel-Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04982430426722542837noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9427651.post-9764271467144994192009-04-08T08:18:00.004-04:002009-04-08T09:31:46.513-04:00Twitter, Blogging, Linked-in: A Soical Networking ReviewO.K., I am going to admit it: <a href="http://twitter.com/home">Twitter</a> bores me. When I started writing and blogging back in the Bronze Age, I was excited about social media. I wanted to get my fingers on the pulse of the collective. I wanted to be informed, involved and Connected with a capital C.<br /><br />Blogging was great for a while. I worked hard to seek out interesting voices and dynamic communities. I built my link list, I read other peoples work, commented on their sites, and followed best practice protocols. (Which basically means find a niche topic, blog every day, link to related sites, join communities, comment often, don't spam, and never feed the trolls.)<br /><br />It was exciting, (especially during the elections) and in retrospect, I did learn a lot from the experience. But after a while, it all started to sound like white noise.<br /><br />Then <a href="http://twitter.com/home">twitter</a> came along. (That's twitter with a lower case t, as I'm told the creators prefer.) The buzz proclaimed it's wonderment. So I hooked in. I followed and was followed back. I tweeted and re-tweeted, and downloaded <a href="http://mashable.com/2008/07/15/twhirl-tweetdeck-comparison/">twirl and tweetdeck</a>. I checked it often and clicked the little linkies. I tried hard to be a good little bird in the big bad flock. But it bored me.<br /><br />Sure, I read stories from others who explained the practical value of <a href="http://twitter.com/home">twitter</a>, and how it can be used as an effective tool for the on-the-go networker. I get it, it's has its uses. But in my personal experience, I have yet to tell one story of how twitter has provided me with a single snippet of information that has improved my life in any way shape or form.<br /><br />I also got going of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/">Facebook</a>, because <a href="http://www.insidefacebook.com/2008/08/05/which-facebook-applications-really-are-the-most-engaging-a-look-at-mau-mau/">all the buzzers </a>proclaimed it was the platform <a href="http://www.usnews.com/blogs/robert-schlesinger/2009/04/06/young-people-looking-for-jobs-should-remember-facebook-myspace-have-no-privacy.html">place to be</a>. That experience has actually offered some mild amusement, as I have hooked in and chatted with some old school chums from long...(LOOONNNGGG) ago. But from a productivity standpoint, I put in in the category of my crossword puzzle: an amusing time waster that takes up about six minutes of my day.<br /><br />After that, I built a self hosted blog on wordpress.org, because all the <a href="http://michaelmartine.com/2008/03/18/moving-wordpress-com-self-hosted/">social networking gurus</a> swear it's the only way to blog. The jury is still out on that one, as I need to give it a full six months to analyze the results; but for now, I am skeptical. The blogger platform has great community connectivity, and, uh, it's FREE. But we shall see, what we shall see as the experiment continues. I'll let you know.<br /><br />Over all, the one platform other than blogger that I have found useful is <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/">Linked -In</a>. Linked-In is referred to as an On-Line Resume tool, but it is so much more than that. People on Linked-In upload their professional resume, then join community user groups related to their fields of expertise, then write articles and join discussions. Everyone is careful to present a professional image, because its a job networking site. So, there is little troll behavior, no goofy gossip, no sexually explicit behavior, and almost all of the articles are well polished. Linked-In has led me to many real life networking events, seminars, classes, and work opportunities.<br /><br />So all in all, I will continue to check facebook to connect with old friends, I will keep blogging when the muse strikes, and I will absolutely spend more time writing articles for Linked-In, but twitter bores me. I won't give up on it yet, as I want to carry the experiment through a full cycle, but for now, it earns a three yawn review.Kel-Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04982430426722542837noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9427651.post-22537572933337307402009-03-20T08:11:00.003-04:002009-03-20T11:18:53.830-04:00AIG Bailout Security Memo<div><a href="http://gawker.com/5175745/aig-corporate-securitys-tips-for-surviving-an-angry-mob">Gawker.com</a> released a leaked security memo from AIG today, warning employees of the beleaguered financial company to use caution in the face of public rage regarding the use of taxpayer bailout monies for million dollar executive bonuses. During congressional hearings yesterday, AIG CEO Edward Liddy expressed concern for the safety of AIG employees and entered into the record a threat letter that said “All of the executives and their families should be executed with piano wire around their necks."<br /><br />Comedian Stephen Cobert personified public sentiment by wielding a pitchfork and calling on the mobs to storm the gates. The security memo advised employees to avoid wearing AIG apparel, travel in pairs, and dodge conversations with the media. Some additional words of caution might include:<br /><br /><em><br /></div></em><blockquote><br /><p><em>*Avoid piano repairmen, and cancel any symphony engagements involving a strings section.<br /></em></p><br /><p><em>*Carry your golden parachute with you at all times.<br /></em></p><br /><p><em>*Refrain from lighting cigars with hundred dollar bills, especially in public.<br /></em></p><br /><p><em>*Bulletproof your limo.<br /></em></p><br /><p><em>*Keep your “Get Out Of Jail Free” card on hand at all times.<br /></p></em></blockquote><div><br /><strong><em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nHzPjfzLBnhq9Kfbh-N6NzvGmojYoAwoMzLOBh546PzgmLD-iHxfkEfE88u7QaH0ZMtQqn2Oir2DHF2lMA9ZsWmKT2kbaMi4oFaCYWDNzFBiAN8pQA_b3Z2D-vpFVjRgxw2BZg/s1600-h/dell+transfer+photos+760.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315289323446263730" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 119px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 73px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nHzPjfzLBnhq9Kfbh-N6NzvGmojYoAwoMzLOBh546PzgmLD-iHxfkEfE88u7QaH0ZMtQqn2Oir2DHF2lMA9ZsWmKT2kbaMi4oFaCYWDNzFBiAN8pQA_b3Z2D-vpFVjRgxw2BZg/s320/dell+transfer+photos+760.jpg" border="0" /></a></em></strong></div><div><strong><em></em></strong> </div><div><strong><em></em></strong> </div><div><strong><em></em></strong> </div><div><strong><em></em></strong> </div><div><strong><em>Or, they could just , yanno, GIVE THE MONEY BACK!</em></strong><br /></div><p></p>Kel-Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04982430426722542837noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9427651.post-7631185876966602342009-03-19T12:38:00.008-04:002009-03-19T13:26:18.604-04:00Pitbull ProblemI just got one of those viral "Warning" e-mails about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Pitbulls</span>. It said:<br /><br /><div><div><blockquote>PLEASE READ!!!<br />If you are an owner of a dog that belongs to a 'dangerous<br />breed category<br />and you also have a small child please take this as a<br />warning. Don't leave your<br />dog with the child unattended under any<br />circumstances. Only a little moment was<br />enough for the following to<br />happen.</blockquote></div><div><p>******************************************<br /></p><br /><blockquote></blockquote>Then I was directed to open the photo:</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOIfRAf-yTkJ3xDvXUHEBXon5kGf02AFWSm7NbTBsgOJPTiLq_D9pQEfMaz4v3oz03Z8xhAIsZJwo5DW98jWJ3dflaoazTZQT0TnC4f8IEuyEg720TBrDCE3I56D7ANC6NBIkSQ/s1600-h/122449-original-elb0d.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314940369985859346" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOIfRAf-yTkJ3xDvXUHEBXon5kGf02AFWSm7NbTBsgOJPTiLq_D9pQEfMaz4v3oz03Z8xhAIsZJwo5DW98jWJ3dflaoazTZQT0TnC4f8IEuyEg720TBrDCE3I56D7ANC6NBIkSQ/s400/122449-original-elb0d.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>I've gotta tell you, it totally made may day. I once rescued a dog, a boxer mix, who was labeled as a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Pitbull</span> under Ohio law. Petey was the coolest, most laid back, gentle giant you could ever meet. He had the heart of a real <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">softie</span>, just like the dog in the photo above. </div><br /><div></div><div>Now I don't want to lead people to believe they should not be cautious around these dogs. One thing I learned when <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">working</span> with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">wildlife</span> is ALL ANIMALS CAN BITE. Caution is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">warranted</span>. Especially when <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">working</span> with large animals that have the power and potential to do real bodily harm. </div><div></div><div> </div><div>I almost lost my leg from an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">unfortunate</span> incident with a horse many years ago, and still carry the scars. That horse was a sweetheart -- never meant me a lick of harm -- but she was a very large animal. She reared up when a tractor drove by and honked it's horn. We were riding on loose gravel. She lost her footing and fell over backwards. I was on top of her, and then underneath her. The saddle horn crushed my chest under her weight. My foot got caught in the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">stirrup</span>. When she got up, she drug me about a hundred yards down the road. It nearly tore my leg off.</div><br /><div></div><div>Big animals are dangerous. But that does not mean I no longer ride. And it does not mean large dog breeds should be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">eradicated</span> as companion animals. It means proper training (for both animal and human handler) are in order. It means following good care and safety <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">protocols</span>. It means treating the animal in a loving responsible manner, and remembering risk exists in just about anything we do.</div><br /><div></div><div>But as for me, well, I'll take those risks, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">because</span> the wonder and joy of sharing my life with these animals is part of what makes life worth living.</div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7d7DpX6bHkqCOCsQ2twPoymaM24NHfDqbbXEPGLYlu2SZxwpemwwf2DWknVITuH9QGhZ1AiR5V55CPah9NAea-F_bz-0PGn8Grsda7BDIr4l0HlIbEMy2SMvSUP_EDku3zDMMA/s1600-h/dell+transfer+photos+576.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314947134014264786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7d7DpX6bHkqCOCsQ2twPoymaM24NHfDqbbXEPGLYlu2SZxwpemwwf2DWknVITuH9QGhZ1AiR5V55CPah9NAea-F_bz-0PGn8Grsda7BDIr4l0HlIbEMy2SMvSUP_EDku3zDMMA/s400/dell+transfer+photos+576.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><em></em></div><div><em></em></div><div><em></em></div><div><em></em></div><div><em></em></div><div><em></em></div><div><em></em></div><div><em></em></div><div><em></em></div><div><em></em></div><div><em>My son with our ol' pal Petey. </em></div><div><em>(We miss ya buddy boy.)</em></div></div>Kel-Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04982430426722542837noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9427651.post-39120209757570207022009-03-13T09:21:00.000-04:002009-03-13T09:22:31.235-04:00Peter, Please AnswerThis site is a riot! Go to <a href="http://www.peteranswers.com/">Peter, Please Answer</a> and ask a question. If you do it right, Peter will know the answer.<br /><br />It works like this:<br /><br />You need a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">typer</span>, and a person to ask a question.<br /><br />the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">typer</span> is in on the trick.<br /><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">typer</span> says "ask any question, and Peter will know the answer."<br /><br />So the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">skeptical</span> person will ask something like "What's my dogs name?"<br /><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">typer</span> types the question into the computer, and WOW! Peter Knows!<br />"Sparky-Boo-Boo-Doggy" appears on the computer screen in big bold letters.<br /><br />The person is amazed and asks several more questions.<br /><br />How does it work?<br /><br />Peter takes over the keyboard. When the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">typer</span> is supposedly typing the question, he or she is actually typing the answer.<br /><br />Try it. Its a blast!Kel-Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04982430426722542837noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9427651.post-263600170070125262009-03-05T10:14:00.005-05:002009-03-05T12:20:28.529-05:00Ask and ye shall recieveI'm laughing under my breath this morning in pure amazement at the universe.<br /><br />I am thankful for <a href="http://www.comfortspark.com/comfortspark.htm">my friend Maggie</a>, my "spiritual eye-doctor" who always helps me see The Divine with 20/20 vision.<br /><br />Maggie is a spiritual teacher who says we can receive whatever we need from the Universe.<br /><br />All we need do is ask.<br /><br />She meditates and prays for the energies she needs in her life. She visualizes what she wants, and when she can see clearly, in her minds eye, a picture of her desired future, she often finishes her meditation by exclaiming: <em>"Thank You Very Much! I'll Have Some of That!" </em><br /><br />I always smile when I hear that expression, especially when she is working with women's groups. I see their eyes light up with surprise.<br /><br />She demonstrates the prayerful optimism of a woman who feels deserving of the gifts of the divine.<br /><br />I think a lot of people are pleasantly surprised by this, because deep down they feel unworthy to ask, and unworthy to receive. (Yanno, the old born sinful and filled with guilt thing.) But not my Maggie. In her world, we are all beautiful, perfect, and deserving of the Divine. Which is a pretty cool way to approach life if you ask me.<br /><br />I love that concept, and I love <a href="http://naturalperceptions.blogspot.com/">Maggie</a> for spreading that energy around.<br /><br />So why am I laughing? Because in <a href="http://kelleybell.blogspot.com/2009/03/blogging-communities.html">yesterdays blog post</a>, I was writing about folks who blog, and our need to feel appreciated once in a while.<br /><br />*Ask and the Universe will answer. *<br /><br />Yep. It sure will. Guaranteed.<br /><br />"So you need a little shot in the arm KelBell?" The Universe asked. "No problem, <em>You can Have Some of That.</em> Step right up and receive your gifts."<br /><br />(The Universe answered my blog post via e-mail.)<br /><br />That's right folks, The Divine uses the Internet. Go figure.<br /><br />Apparently my other blog, <a href="http://www.applesassy.com/">Applesassy.com</a> won an excellence in Blogging Award yesterday, which is strange, because I didn't even know I was in the contest and even stranger because the timing is so very "Twilight Zone".<br /><br />(Cue the theme music: doo-doo,doo- doo...doo-doo,doo-doo)<br /><br />Here is what the e-mail said:<br /><br />Dear Kelley,<br /><br />I wanted to let you know that your blog made it to the semi-finalist round of the Blogger Appreciation Awards. Our judges looked over thousands of nominations and yours was only one of 200 (less than 10% of the submissions) that has been recognized for blogging excellence. While you did not make the final round of voting, you should feel proud of this accomplishment, knowing that we determined your blog to be in the top 10% of all submissions.<br /><br />We encourage you to let your readers know about your accomplishment by featuring this badge on your blog:<br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309730938421584178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 280px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRHFE08QyivH9U307XlvMAJ9K-Q6o69isoXSPTa7RY7Isf7abBixbl5m-LyyzHUgTbNyvcGgpUqzSXdmxvX5DKLbR3Z7uQ6wl8Hh4Ajfu0tE_sz-ASZP850fl8liyfHIfOM0VJg/s400/blogger+award.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />Ha!</p><p>So the Universe knows I'm trying, and knows I was feeling a little discouraged. I was asking myself if it's worth it to keep writing, and the Universe answered my question by sending me some bogus little blogger award.</p><p>She sends me a boost. Not a boost big enough to blow my head up, not a "HEY YOU WON THE BEST BLOGGER IN THE WORLD AWARD", but just a little "Keep on Truckin" message to give me the hope and fuel I need to keep on typing and try even harder tomorrow.</p><p>Pretty Cool. </p><p>But even cooler, is my gift from Maggie, who sees The Divine at work in every little thing we do, every single day. </p><p>Ya gotta Love that.</p>Kel-Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04982430426722542837noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9427651.post-63866112474890171742009-03-03T11:24:00.003-05:002009-03-03T11:47:31.505-05:00Blogging communitiesBlogging is about community. We set up our sites, connect to other sites, read each others posts, make comments, and make friends. We learn from each other. We experience the world through a wider lens. We are inspired by those amazing little insights we happen upon, and hope to inspire others in return.<br /><br />We make each other laugh, and empathise with the struggles of people we have never even met.<br /><br />But blogging is sometimes frustrating. When we write and hit the publish button, we are making a formal request to be heard. <br /><br />Hello? <br /><br />Anybody out there? <br /><br />Usually not.<br /><br />Then comes the negative self talk. Nobody cares. Maybe my ideas are not valid. Maybe i don't have anything worthy to add to the conversation. Or a Stewart Smally of SNL might put it:<br /><br />"I'm not good enough, I'm not smart enough, and nobody likes me."<br /><br />Sometimes we go to blogs that get ten thousand comments for a post that consists of nothing but drivel. We look at an essay we wrote, or one of our on line friends wrote that clearly has heart and style and relevance, but garners nothing but a big fat goose egg on the stats page.<br /><br />Hey if nobody is reading, whats the point?<br /><br />Do you ever feel this way when you blog? If so, what makes you keep typing? <br /><br />I have my reasons, which might be different than yours, but it is a subject I am exploring, and would like to learn more about. Ultimately, I believe this new world of Social Networking has the power to change the world, and I want to be a part of that. I believe when we empower individuals to speak their truth, and connect to one another, we all have the opportunity to grow as individuals, and improve our lives and the lives of those around us. <br /><br />I see bloggers out there making a difference in the world of politics, by keeping the professional players honest, and by uniting large groups to pressure the establishment to do a better job.<br /><br />I see artists and writers inspiring each other through their creative works. <br /><br />I see self help groups banding together to help people work through their problems.<br /><br />and beyond that, I feel so privileged to have had the chance to meet people out there who use their blogs to shine their own little lights, and just make my day a little brighter by sharing their souls with the world.<br /><br />If you are out there, and I have seen your posts, Thank you. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I have smiled, or laughed, or had pause for thought because of the things you have shared.<br /><br />Collectively, you have all made a difference. You have all inspired. You are all a part of this journey. And i for one, am better for it.<br /><br />I thank you, one and all.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.Applesassy.com">Kelley Bell</a>Kel-Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04982430426722542837noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9427651.post-38226909953267216842009-02-21T09:51:00.003-05:002009-02-21T09:58:39.686-05:00Great Tip for Dealing with Cold Winter WeatherI hate cold weather. REALLY hate it. I am one of those people whose toes turn to ice when the temp dips under 72 degrees.<br /><br />But this morning, this lovely morning, when I awoke, I learned a new trick to make the cold months more bearable.<br /><br />Last night I left my sweater hanging on the kitchen chair just above the heater vent.<br /><br />When I put it on, oh my, what a delight! It felt as if it has just tumbled out of a hot dryer. I tell ya, it changed my mood for the entire day.<br /><br />Old man winter, bring it on baby! I've got my defense now.Kel-Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04982430426722542837noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9427651.post-8617318016165547382009-02-19T19:44:00.002-05:002009-02-19T21:44:03.965-05:00Feminist Fumes when Insight Cable Co. Pulls a “Deloris Clayborn” Stunt<a href="http://www.insight-com.com/4716.htm">Insight Communications</a> has implemented a "new security policy" that some (or at least one) feminist finds offensive.<br /><br />After nearly twenty years of being the person in our family who calls Insight to make changes/upgrades to our service, today I was told “Your husband will need to call us and give permission for you to make any future changes to this account.”<br /><br />I felt like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKdANxJw4ho">Kathy Bates in the bank scene from the movie Dolores Claiborne</a>.<br /><br />“I’ve been the person handling this account for almost twenty years.” I said.<br />“It’s a new security policy. The account is in his name.”<br /><br />“Yes, I know that. He started the service before we were married, but every time I call, ----and I am always the one to call-- you just ask me for our account number to verify my authorization.”<br /><br />“Just have your husband contact us and provide his permission for you to handle the account. Then we will be happy to help you.”<br /><br />Say What??????<br /><br />Now maybe they DID institute a “new security policy”, or maybe, the difference is that today I was making a request to <em>downgrade</em> our service instead of upgrading. Maybe they added this policy in anticipation that a lot of wives would be calling in to cut back during these tight economic times, so they figured they might be able to “secure” some of their precious revenue if they added a few extra hoops for us to jump through.<br /><br />I suspect that might be the case, because when I called, the rep asked for my account number as always, and was ready and willing to help me... that is until I mentioned I was mulling a scale back in our services. THEN all of a sudden, that "new policy" went into effect.<br /><br />What Insight might well remember is that this ain’t the 1950’s and even the mere idea of a policy that invokes memories of the gender inequities of the past, is something they would be wise to avoid. Otherwise, their financial security might really be at risk, especially when they realize that 70% of the consumer spending in this country is controlled by women.<br /><br />*********************************<br /><br />If you have any questions or concerns about your Insight service, they have a toll free number for your convience: 1-800–686–2200Kel-Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04982430426722542837noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9427651.post-30160909356916207212009-02-11T09:10:00.005-05:002009-02-11T09:23:58.851-05:00Free Valentines Day Poetry<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2PKWUqIDQUq6DTOLmC8qapt7GUnXRjrp4iG3Vdjg6StNmtBM6SJoRACXKuES-8_A4TdtuOj9VuzORN3s8kI4OM1atq10bRSQLik0amkAXdzReTtFbr6ixhO3aDYffgz9H5q7_g/s1600-h/300_202327.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301544452688960354" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 260px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2PKWUqIDQUq6DTOLmC8qapt7GUnXRjrp4iG3Vdjg6StNmtBM6SJoRACXKuES-8_A4TdtuOj9VuzORN3s8kI4OM1atq10bRSQLik0amkAXdzReTtFbr6ixhO3aDYffgz9H5q7_g/s320/300_202327.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://thefrugaleditor.blogspot.com/">Carolyn Howard-Johnson</a> is offering a free download of her Cherished Pulse poetry as a Valentine's gift.<br /><br />Isn't that sweet? Her offer embodies the free sharing of information that makes the webbernet so wonderful. (Her idea is also pretty handy for spendthrift Romeos trying to survive in our current economy.)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.carolynhowardjohnson.redenginepress.com/more_on_cherished_pulse.htm">Click here</a> to learn more about Cherished Pulse and how to do it. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Print out a poem on some fancy paper. Spray it with perfume. Glue on a flower or two, and present it to the one you love with a nice chunk of Ghirardelli Chocolate.</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www.ghirardelli.com/">http://www.ghirardelli.com/</a></div><div> </div><div>Yumm...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Happy V Day! </div>Kel-Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04982430426722542837noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9427651.post-12695359359338077952009-02-09T13:56:00.002-05:002009-02-09T14:05:43.564-05:00Do you want more readers for your blog?Hey gang,<br /><br />Do you want more readers for your blog? If so, I have a helpful tip to share. I have been off researching all the hottest websites, trying to learn what exactly they are doing right. Well, One of the things they do is apply to the Open Web Directory at <a href="http://www.dmoz.org/about.html">DMOZ</a>.<br /><br />It is apparently a rather coveted thing to be accepted by DMOZ. Some folks wait several years before being accepted, and others never get accepted at all. The good news is, if you have a great site with good content, and stick to a subject matter that is not already over saturated, you might just find yourself accepted overnight.<br /><br />It only takes a few minutes to apply, and is well worth it. Once your site is listed, it gets pumped out to all the major search engines on a regular basis and will drive tons of new traffic your way.<br /><br />So give it a shot...we could all use a few thousand new friends.Kel-Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04982430426722542837noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9427651.post-80500122355734601522009-01-31T19:21:00.005-05:002009-01-31T19:25:02.594-05:00Get Sassy!<strong>Click here to visit my new writing and social media site: <a href="http://www.applesassy.com/">http://www.Applesassy.com</a></strong>Kel-Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04982430426722542837noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9427651.post-41197353590690082152009-01-28T06:32:00.005-05:002009-01-28T10:05:14.210-05:00For The Record: Blogging, History, and The Legacy We LeaveEvery morning I start my day by connecting to the thoughts of others. I go on-line and read a series of news feeds on the ol 'puter. We still get the local paper too, (mainly for the crossword puzzle, and the authoritative feel of snapping the pages), but aside from the portability of taking it with me to the, uh..."reading room", I tend to rely more and more on electronic content.<br /><br />The print papers just aren't as relevant anymore. The paper today is just a rehash of what I read on line last night. It's old news before the ink even dries on the page. In addition, my on-line content is tailored to my interests. It's more personal, more real, and often more honest because of the freedoms of personal publishing. <br /><br />One favorite site of mine is a daily digest from <a href="http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&id=4716&HPF_rid=37690034&HPF_mid=1941_T1_Url4">History.com</a>.<br /><br />This mornings entry tells how on this date in 1917 the U.S. ended its search for <a href="http://www.ojinaga.com/villa/">Pancho Villa</a>. That little gem is of personal interest as my Great Grandfather W.A. Sands was one of the men sent into Mexico to hunt down the famed revolutionary under the command of <a href="http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/johnjose.htm">General Black Jack Pershing</a>. I can look at that history and write about it. I can link to it and add a new and more personal piece to the puzzle of the past. <br /><br />I have grandpa's diary's. They are filled with day by day accounts of that mission, with a whole lotta talk of the Mexican"working girls" who entertained at their camps each night.<br /><br />My father says W.A. and his wife did not speak directly to each other for the last forty years of their lives, even though they never divorced, and lived in the same house on Bryden Road until their deaths. In order to communicate, they would direct their comments to one or more of their seven children, -or occasionally the dog.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisH8LiUj63EejycoYdXijd7OtRiCnzKrq9jqRaKS1GVZrSbl_c2bdDxA3ogmV4-EoUwopkQwc4KkZxbSclWv9BZ91WxU2KvdJznUl-dr0e7MKwsP8AawsvLZrMbtOJuiDX_amCUg/s1600-h/dell+transfer+photos+670.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296340893205880546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 231px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisH8LiUj63EejycoYdXijd7OtRiCnzKrq9jqRaKS1GVZrSbl_c2bdDxA3ogmV4-EoUwopkQwc4KkZxbSclWv9BZ91WxU2KvdJznUl-dr0e7MKwsP8AawsvLZrMbtOJuiDX_amCUg/s400/dell+transfer+photos+670.jpg" border="0" /></a>I have often wonder if that diary might have played a part in their long running marital feud. His diaries don't say. There is not one cross word about his wife or children in those pages. He talks extensively of his missions with Pershing, both to Mexico, and later into <a href="http://www.firstworldwar.com/origins/causes.htm">WWI France</a>. He talks of his work as the leader of the <a href="http://e.wa.home.mindspring.com/wwidiary/links.htm">42nd Rainbow Division</a> military band, and later of <a href="http://www.authentichistory.com/1930s.html">The Great Depression</a> and his work as a business man in Columbus Ohio, but there is not a single sentence in those volumes discussing his personal feelings about his family.<br /><br />His wife, Tose Sands, kept a diligent daily record too. She logged the weather, who came to visit, what the meals were, who was born and who died, but she too wrote nary a word about their personal lives. Even on holidays like Christmas, the accounts fail to mention feelings about family or gifts, or the joy of celebration.<br /><br />I think there is a lesson in those musty old books for the bloggers of the future. While a meteorologist or a war historian might find gold in those pages, regular readers are looking for something more...a personal history, with feelings and personal philosophies on life. Entries like that not only teach us who these people were, but it keeps their memories alive, and provides us with a way to connect to our collective past, and relate their struggles to our future. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXUYlYCdhlpF4NMZDvuXUsuahNJPK8eTrQ_sYbMN3I96zDlskBrrnbvnuEtifbTUu86Gmxf-thOAXBktdjiKMp4_LNJm_0pYuxxg05P8QANFymeJ7wYl7f5CRrAarv0nSyxTwEQ/s1600-h/dell+transfer+photos+581.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296333464297676898" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 247px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXUYlYCdhlpF4NMZDvuXUsuahNJPK8eTrQ_sYbMN3I96zDlskBrrnbvnuEtifbTUu86Gmxf-thOAXBktdjiKMp4_LNJm_0pYuxxg05P8QANFymeJ7wYl7f5CRrAarv0nSyxTwEQ/s400/dell+transfer+photos+581.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>When I look at the photos in the old family trunk, I often wonder what those ghosts of the past were like. I wish we had more diaries, more personal glimpses into history, and I hope the age of the Internet will make that dream come alive for the children of tomorrow.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>When I look into the eyes of those old photos, I want to know who those people were. Don't you? </div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div><br /> </div><div></div>Kel-Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04982430426722542837noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9427651.post-27551735887802060752009-01-23T17:27:00.002-05:002009-01-23T17:31:51.450-05:00Times Square, where dreams come true<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8Bp4crryP8b0qXidMTP80HwO3UaGb7pmf12GIOrD-FpzBOgbi0eWQhC8f46-MsxHRVydkpaWjGIkFv0AAbspsIgu2TgBpzlh104BTR9ZopcdxdKug1dCrM1uFJS6vxgj8BCPMg/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294620458176869154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 286px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8Bp4crryP8b0qXidMTP80HwO3UaGb7pmf12GIOrD-FpzBOgbi0eWQhC8f46-MsxHRVydkpaWjGIkFv0AAbspsIgu2TgBpzlh104BTR9ZopcdxdKug1dCrM1uFJS6vxgj8BCPMg/s400/1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Just got back from The big Apple. -Had a ball.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Here's a fake tourist photo I purchased for 10 bucks in times Square. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>A place where anyting can happen, and everything does!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Kel-Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04982430426722542837noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9427651.post-71857490749583076342009-01-17T00:34:00.002-05:002009-01-17T00:46:53.570-05:003...2...1...LAUNCH!I just launched a new blog. It's called <a href="http://www.applesassy.com/">Applesassy.com</a>. I spent the past three weeks learning css, html and php codes so that I could do some fun customizations and put a few advertisements on it.<br /><br />The focus of the blog is writing and social networking. Anything outside that realm (Mostly family funnies and slice of life) will still appear here, unless its a political post. All politics will appear only on <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kelley-bellwenzlaff/#blogger_bio">The Huffington Post</a> from now on.<br /><br />If you have a chance to drop over to either site and make a comment, you would surely make me smile.<br /><br />Thanks Everybody.<br /><br />3...2...1...LAUNCH!Kel-Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04982430426722542837noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9427651.post-80236690269041579382009-01-16T08:21:00.004-05:002009-01-16T08:47:32.716-05:00Geese Grumpy over Airstrike Coverage<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsmvTFkLD5kqnn57a0cWqu2oe6BmD9WxGh83iW6ZdOS2dGnibQOx-dg2o-WPzkAA-wMICKpvZrq-zsCEBEPYbZUSvbkScw0q9XL6qHom8v1Dqu5R4wrTXcNmXwJReSX_zf8N4ImA/s1600-h/curious_goose_s.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291884321396069810" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 130px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsmvTFkLD5kqnn57a0cWqu2oe6BmD9WxGh83iW6ZdOS2dGnibQOx-dg2o-WPzkAA-wMICKpvZrq-zsCEBEPYbZUSvbkScw0q9XL6qHom8v1Dqu5R4wrTXcNmXwJReSX_zf8N4ImA/s320/curious_goose_s.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The United Geese Federation is upset with coverage regarding <a href="http://theknightshift.blogspot.com/2009/01/miracle-on-hudson-everyone-rescued.html">the Miracle on the Hudson</a>. Spokes-gander Loosey Goosey claims an unfair anti-avian media bias regarding the recent plane crash in New York.</div><br /><div></div><div>"All the news coverage is claiming a goose hit the plane. Our position is the plane hit the goose. They keep quacking about the damage our goose did to the engine, but did you see the damage that engine did to the goose?!"</div><br /><div></div><div>Geese all over the country are flocking together in protest of the coverage, flying in the classic V formation as a symbol of solidarity. </div><br /><div></div><div>Right Wing Opponents say "They can honk all they want, but the fact is, they don't have a case. Geese are not considered credible in court."</div>Kel-Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04982430426722542837noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9427651.post-90502936705031212232009-01-14T11:24:00.006-05:002009-01-14T12:21:50.026-05:00The Power of Words<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-IyJCrJKG0sJN2giEkRUhknGcy1FOTKwIJXR9JkZjPX1hVCujafpVNMzzklKxtd7BzYCzU74k9LJqdsm6SRcPKhpLDtnkt5B7NfVK3bwdRmaiCwqQmqGbwmmoFZnYQRNc-xC6w/s1600-h/sample-4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291199296529089314" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-IyJCrJKG0sJN2giEkRUhknGcy1FOTKwIJXR9JkZjPX1hVCujafpVNMzzklKxtd7BzYCzU74k9LJqdsm6SRcPKhpLDtnkt5B7NfVK3bwdRmaiCwqQmqGbwmmoFZnYQRNc-xC6w/s320/sample-4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><div>I just received a nice e-mail from <a href="http://www.redroom.com/author/gloria-feldt/bio">Gloria Feldt</a>. Gloria is one of my "SHE-RO's". She is a writer, activist, and public speaker with a long history of involvement in the Women's Movement.<br /><br />She sent me a review copy of her book <a href="http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780307418616&ref=rec&name=cat">The War on Choice</a> for an article I am working on for <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kelley-bellwenzlaff">The Huffington Post</a>.<br /><br />After putting the bones of the piece together, I sent her a draft to fact check.<br /><br />The first line of her reply to me was:<br /><strong><em></div><br /><blockquote><strong><em>Kelley,<br />I am greatly honored that you are citing my book. You<br />have created a beautiful framework to remind Americans what is at stake on this<br />Roe anniversary.</em></strong><br /></blockquote></em></strong><br /><br /><div>Wow. What a perfect thing to say to a budding writer. "You have <em>created a beautiful framework</em>...:<br /><br />That is after all, what we all dream of doing when we write; Create beautiful frameworks.<br /><br />I don't know about you, but I often find that a difficult thing to do. I have so many ideas floating around in my head, and they <em>ALL</em> have connections. More often than not, I tend to connect too many different dots in my essays, which basically turns the framework into a pile of mangled steel.<br /><br />Beautiful frameworks require structure, and simplicity. It is a melding of art and form. It can be linear, or circular, or spiral, in style and point, as long as the framework is sound. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>But simplicity is complicated.<br /><br />Because I admire Gloria and her achievements, I will hold her kind words most dear. And hopefully, I will build better frameworks this year as a result. </div></div>Kel-Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04982430426722542837noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9427651.post-27564712144311339562009-01-12T07:29:00.003-05:002009-01-13T11:05:11.151-05:00Twitter<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmtvBn3tN4izx6VcPndC8DZx5ViwnZZvvvGij4t8cLW9fqf5C6Mb022zMWkRuFve3fIFEd_JtZsGKMrIwasxgBUakLLhhbW6TsuENJaFRLzRxTVOPUnHIA0vhmfVr8mXw1B78dA/s1600-h/twitter-bird.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290391249556398274" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 220px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 161px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmtvBn3tN4izx6VcPndC8DZx5ViwnZZvvvGij4t8cLW9fqf5C6Mb022zMWkRuFve3fIFEd_JtZsGKMrIwasxgBUakLLhhbW6TsuENJaFRLzRxTVOPUnHIA0vhmfVr8mXw1B78dA/s320/twitter-bird.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Are ya'all using <a href="http://twitter.com/home">Twitter</a> yet?<br /><br />I kept reading how hot it is, so I decided to give it a try. I admit it confused me at first. The idea is you sign up for a free account, start "following" other people, and they in turn "follow" you.<br /><br />To "tweet" on Twitter, you go to the Twitter dashboard and answer the question: "What are you doing?"<br /><br />You have only 140 characters (letters & numbers) in which to answer.<br /><br />When you hit send, everyone who is following you receives your Tweet.<br /><br />Some folks say things like "Going to bed now." or "Spilled my coffee."<br /><br />Others report news headlines, or provide updates to their latest writings.<br /><br />When you insert a url into a Tweet, twitter automatically converts the link to something called a Tiny url. Basically all this does is make your link smaller so that it uses less characters.<br /><br />When I first began using Twitter, it did not make a lot of sense to me. In order to see followers Tweets, I had to go to the Twitter site and scroll through all the Tweets. Most of them meant nothing to me, so it thought "Hmm...Twitter huh?...meh."<br /><br />But then I discovered an add on for Twitter called <a href="http://www.twhirl.org/">Twhirl</a>. Twhirl is a little piece of Twitter software you download on to your desktop that sends those Tweets in real time. Now I get my news faster than anyone on the planet.<br /><br />I "follow" good news sources, and those tweets let me know whats going on around the globe as it's happening. I also know what my friends are up to, and who just posted a new article.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.chrisbrogan.com/when-pirates-board-a-new-ship/">Chris Brogan</a> just wrote a cool twitter story. He was in Las Vegas for a convention. His gang wanted to get permission to have a promotional photo taken while on board a pirate ship. They sent out a few Twitters to see if anyone at the convention knew who to contact to get permission to board the ship. Within minutes, they had their answer, got permission, and now have a hot photo of the three entrepreneurs standing as swashbucklers aboard the famous ship.<br /><br />Another fella used Twitter to hook up with his friends after a football game. He tweeted his location and they all met up at the same pub after the game.<br /><a href="http://www.larakretler.com/index.php/2008/09/social-search-in-action/">Lara Kretler</a> shares a story on her blog of how she needed some quick information. She posted her question to Twitter, and got the answer she needed right away. On her post she said it was better to get answers from real people she networked with rather than depend on the Google bot. I think she is right about that.<br /><br />So in conclusion, Here's a Thumbs up for Twitter. I think it's sings.<br /><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/Kelleybell">You can follow me on Twitter by clicking here.</a> I promise to follow you back. </div>Kel-Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04982430426722542837noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9427651.post-88834784839307726752009-01-08T11:34:00.004-05:002009-01-08T11:56:11.242-05:00New York City!<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEO8B1eeL0GoeYV-Dwpjuz9hFoby8EFV6nevjk9WRYorsL_FhU5hOmkCeINRqmjv4zUUL_JD8XAVC_uhxj0Iq0amERiq1MmqIf9HQg7xBJhtmZ0rInNc03psHJo9vmk8HOI6hkdQ/s1600-h/1210_14_23---Manhattan-Skyline-New-York-City_web.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288967392566177314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 288px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 191px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEO8B1eeL0GoeYV-Dwpjuz9hFoby8EFV6nevjk9WRYorsL_FhU5hOmkCeINRqmjv4zUUL_JD8XAVC_uhxj0Iq0amERiq1MmqIf9HQg7xBJhtmZ0rInNc03psHJo9vmk8HOI6hkdQ/s320/1210_14_23---Manhattan-Skyline-New-York-City_web.jpg" border="0" /></a> Oh how exciting! I am about to embark on my first ever trip to NYC!<br /><br />Next week Arianna Huffington, co-founder and editor in chief of The Huffington Post, will moderate a discussion on <a href="http://www.92y.org/shop/event_detail.asp?productid=T-LC5HP01&ev_ad=Huffington_Arianna&xad=Huffington_Arianna">"The Year Ahead"</a> in politics and culture with HuffPost bloggers: Nora Ephron, author and screenwriter; Erica Jong, author; Barbara Ehrenreich, author; Trey Ellis, author and screenwriter; and Paul Rieckhoff, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) executive director.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi719fwaM61yFtOlrKjxbm_J0gxG6Dq70K7RrKjpaFadeYFGKKME37KWvgdbxswNs9BLr7xXzQ718P0qmbqSPW2M1Ry30N9IsCjy5lLk4GiJAVqIh0wyYwu0zwuGtfk5pv3xX7uKw/s1600-h/HuffingtonPost-Logo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288967403393529154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 151px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 56px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi719fwaM61yFtOlrKjxbm_J0gxG6Dq70K7RrKjpaFadeYFGKKME37KWvgdbxswNs9BLr7xXzQ718P0qmbqSPW2M1Ry30N9IsCjy5lLk4GiJAVqIh0wyYwu0zwuGtfk5pv3xX7uKw/s320/HuffingtonPost-Logo.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kelley-bellwenzlaff/#blogger_bio">As a contributing writer for Huffpo</a>, I will be driving to <a href="http://iloveny.com/MapsRegions/RegionalMaps.aspx?gclid=CNC7_6K1_5cCFQHHGgod0wcEDg">The Big Apple</a> to attend. It's about an eight hour trip, and I am a little nervous about actually driving in the city and finding my way around, but only with great risk comes great reward, right?<br /><br />In addition, the trip will offer an opportunity to get some face time with my cyber-friends.<br /><br />I can't wait to post all about it and share the goings on of the event with you all.<br /><br />P.S.<br />(I will also have a big article coming out on Huffpo that week...so stay tuned folks.)</div>Kel-Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04982430426722542837noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9427651.post-60717882675748110062009-01-07T11:09:00.004-05:002009-01-07T11:41:02.887-05:00Sponsor a Poor Wall Street Pauper Today!<p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz-obOcZ8nBQw-9waNqTY8MtbmbpU-bwIxptDbUybYIAu8ZRnfezKHfBuPL6vQhFXqeyO415LQKyj0' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p>This is great. I love her Safari outfit, and the way the "poor exec." plays up the puppy eyes. Tooo Funny!</p><p> </p>Kel-Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04982430426722542837noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9427651.post-61611218828113463812008-12-30T08:32:00.004-05:002008-12-30T09:07:45.625-05:00Holiday Movie Reviews<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpSeLqgQU4mRNUyZGBE6TSf-M1yuklzGTqTySqYe3SUki6CUQ8jE0-RhF1lMYxZBoCaQSLOiVEZlWT7n5HRsRdRwAsW-9m2GsbX-cx2CcI2aIgCt6jPoPNZ97dZ6VuD1aVGwN0g/s1600-h/80-academy_awards_poster.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285584092979337506" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpSeLqgQU4mRNUyZGBE6TSf-M1yuklzGTqTySqYe3SUki6CUQ8jE0-RhF1lMYxZBoCaQSLOiVEZlWT7n5HRsRdRwAsW-9m2GsbX-cx2CcI2aIgCt6jPoPNZ97dZ6VuD1aVGwN0g/s320/80-academy_awards_poster.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>In my annual quest for Oscar picks, I have seen three movies over the holiday break.<br /><br />The first was <a href="http://marleyandmemovie.com/">Marley and Me</a>. It’s a great little film; Heartwarming and very funny. I recommend you buy the ticket, but walk out ¾ of the way through the show. The ending is a real tear jerker. Quite frankly, it was too much for this dog lover to bear.<br /><br />Then there is <a href="http://www.paramountguilds.com/?movie=bbutton&id=0">The Curious Case of Benjamen Button</a>. I held high hopes for this piece, fully expecting it to be my favorite film of the season, but instead found it filled with distractions. The technical effects were indeed Oscar worthy, and I watched with anticipation as Brad Pitts face grew ever younger from scene to scene. My sheer interest in seeing Pitt de-age pulled me right out of the story. The plot dragged in the middle, and the big emotional moments of the movie failed to ring my heartstrings. I stayed through to the end, but did so reluctantly. Maybe it had something to do with the foul smell I endured as the woman sitting next to me removed her shoes, crossed her legs, and propped the offending appendage just inches from my popcorn. That distraction had me ready to beat feet for the door.<br /><br />Last night I went to see <a href="http://doubt-themovie.com/">Doubt</a> with Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep. We have a winner with this one. It was the best picture I’ve seen so far. Streep was at her very finest. I actually recall being startled during a particularly intense scene when I heard a little something in her voice that jolted me to remember it was her. I was so engrossed in the character she created, I actually forgot I was watching Meryl Streep! (Which is exactly the opposite of what it was like to watch the Brad Pitt film.)<br /><br />I have no Doubt Streep will win Best Actress this year. But I say that not yet having seen the Nicole Kidman film, <a href="http://www.australiamovie.com/">Australia</a>, which is next on my Oscar Quest list, but really, I simply can not imagine Nicole could be lucky enough to have all the stars in Holly-world align to allow her to find the right vehicle, the right direction, the right script, and the depth of passion required to compete with Streep on this level.<br /><br />So far, my money is on Doubt to sweep the Academy Awards.<br /><br />Of Course I still have a few more films to go see before making those fun final picks. The list include:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.foxsearchlight.com/slumdogmillionaire/">Slumdog Millionaire</a><br /><a href="http://www.frostnixon.net/">Frost/Nixon</a><br /><a href="http://www.apple.com/trailers/focus_features/milk/">Milk</a><br /><a href="http://thedarkknight.warnerbros.com/dvdsite/">The Dark Knight</a><br /><a href="http://www.foxsearchlight.com/thewrestler/">The Wrestler</a><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/URL">Revolutionary Road</a><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/URL">The Reader</a><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/URL">Defiance</a><br /><br /></div>Kel-Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04982430426722542837noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9427651.post-90695814328843941092008-12-25T08:50:00.003-05:002008-12-25T09:09:54.308-05:00Christmas Cash<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGApjbKgdkb-EzPbIZ0SZEf9vlE7YsWc1pcLKa3M1oa5MVhWyDklPGF_K3xYshDumlPBitsKYpqLPsSOJpr369eHLT8lxIce0TNud6IK4AFJJzRXPzMoegkxvH5SpB-GOX6aEfw/s1600-h/christmas-tree-with-gifts-flipbook.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283729280548551762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGApjbKgdkb-EzPbIZ0SZEf9vlE7YsWc1pcLKa3M1oa5MVhWyDklPGF_K3xYshDumlPBitsKYpqLPsSOJpr369eHLT8lxIce0TNud6IK4AFJJzRXPzMoegkxvH5SpB-GOX6aEfw/s320/christmas-tree-with-gifts-flipbook.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Every year we take the children to visit their grandparents on Christmas Eve. After the hugs and greetings the children run to the Christmas tree where they search like squirrels. Hidden in the branches they each find an envelope with a crisp new twenty dollar bill.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>No wonder they don't believe me when I tell them money doesn't grow on trees!</div><div> </div><div>Merry Christmas Everyone!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Kel-Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04982430426722542837noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9427651.post-10147333005863871272008-12-22T08:00:00.004-05:002008-12-22T08:59:48.237-05:00The Puppy Mill Problem<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgkbG-O3rk6BVyWN20P7EeCrmK3lHf1PuuPz6pmrjhCoRp8Yx022VhfU0vbslhw_wX-WyLdAMxO0chB-jtlCmAOrh1BT1I9E6f06cZ9icVljVLRorinTWN5w2vEJtKeappyEXxA/s1600-h/dell+transfer+photos+315.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282600767346596578" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 242px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgkbG-O3rk6BVyWN20P7EeCrmK3lHf1PuuPz6pmrjhCoRp8Yx022VhfU0vbslhw_wX-WyLdAMxO0chB-jtlCmAOrh1BT1I9E6f06cZ9icVljVLRorinTWN5w2vEJtKeappyEXxA/s320/dell+transfer+photos+315.jpg" border="0" /></a> All across the country, people were protesting in front of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Petland</span> stores this weekend. It happens every year during the Holiday season as, <a href="http://www.hsus.org/">The Humane Society of the United States</a>, a private not for profit advocacy group, works to raise awareness about deplorable conditions in puppy mills. Complaints include charges that animals are kept in unsanitary cages, are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">unsocialized</span>, poorly bred, have numerous health problems, and breeding bitches are kept in cages and impregnated every time they come into heat until they are not longer viable, and then are killed.<br /><br />I came across one of the protest groups as I was doing my holiday shopping in Lewis Center, OH. A group of people gathered in front of the mall braving frigid temperatures for the sake of abused pups. A spokeswoman for the group, Mary O’Connor-Shaver of <a href="http://www.columbustopdogs.com/">Columbus Top Dogs</a> provided a press release which states:<br /><br />“The goal of this event is to raise awareness of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Petland</span> and its relationship to puppy mill breeders and to solicit support from the community asking that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Petland</span> stop selling puppies while Central Ohio homeless dogs and puppies wait to be adopted.”<br /><br />She wants the public to understand “There is a difference between reputable breeders and commercial breeders…Pet stores should be more regulated. We are finding these [pet store] dogs are very sick.”<br /><br />She said “Lisa <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Wahoff</span>, director of the Franklin County Animal Shelter pulled data in 2006 showing that as many as 7 out of every ten dogs coming into the shelter each day could be traced back to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Petland</span> sales.”<br /><br />After speaking to the protesters, I took the time to talk with the folks at the Lewis center <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Petland</span> store. Danny, the manager, brought out the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Petland</span> mascot Safari Sam to greet me and pose for pictures. He said Safari Sam was on his way out to the roadside to wave at the cars, and had been out earlier that morning standing side by side with the protest group. “The protesters show up every year during the holidays, but as you can see, it does not affect businesses at all.” He said with a wave of his hand, indicating the packed crowd of customers in the store. He was very good natured about the protest and adamantly stated that “all <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Petland</span> puppies come from U.S.D.A. approved breeders.”<br /><br />A report from the website <a href="http://74.125.45.132/search?q=cache:Dy4t8Bg40z4J:network.bestfriends.org/Library/Download.aspx%3Fd%3D5009+A+USDA+license+is+a+red+flag+that+breeders+are+in+the+business+to+make+money.&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us">bestfriends.org</a> provides a comprehensive .<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">pdf</span> report outlining the definition of a puppy mill. One point of note in the reports states:<br /><br />• Puppy mills are often USDA-licensed so they can sell puppies to pet stores. A USDA license is a red flag that breeders are in the business to make money.<br /><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Petland</span> manager went on to say “<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Petland</span> does not approve of inhumane animal conditions.” “We think of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Petland</span> like a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">pre</span>-school. We sanitize several times a day, and have customers use anti bacterial hand cleaner in between every pup they handle. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Sanitation</span> is a number one priority.”<br /><br />In addition, <a href="http://www.petland.com/">the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Petland</span> website</a> provides a comprehensive and scathing retort to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">HSUS</span> charges claiming this organization falsified video footage, fools the public, and uses a large percentage of donated monies for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">salaries</span> and operating costs instead of the intended purpose of saving dogs.<br /><br />I looked at the puppies and the condition of the cages and could only describe the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Petland</span> environment as impeccable. The puppies were handled by many customers who would go into a designated play area and get down on the floor with the pups while a staff member supervised. The staff was very attentive and helpful as they explained various breed traits. Clearly the workers were well informed, and dedicated to matching the right breeds with the families needs. Issues of size, temperament allergies and shedding were all topics I overheard during my visit. If these puppies came from disreputable puppy mills where poor kennel conditions and lack of socialization are a problem, the pups certainly do not live under those conditions once they are in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Petland</span>’s hands.<br /><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Petland</span> manager also talked about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Petland</span>’s Adopt-A-Pet program, which connects families who have a litter of puppies or kittens to families looking to adopt. He said “When someone finds a box of abandoned kittens and brings them in to us, we take them in, get them vaccinated, feed them, and provide them with good homes.” He want on to add, “Every <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Petland</span> animal finds a home.” Implying <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Petland</span> does not ever euthanize unwanted animals.<br /><br />O’Connor-Shaver scoffed at that claim saying “no rescue organization in town has ever been contacted by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Petland</span> in regard to developing a partnership for their Adopt-A-Pet program.”<br /><br />I asked <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Petland</span> what they do when a puppy is growing and no one is buying. “We mark down the price, several times if we have to. Eventually they all find a home.”<br /><br />While that may be true, one anti puppy mill website has posted an interview with a former <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Petland</span> manager who tells of dogs being brought to the stores by the truckload, and those that do not pass muster are returned to the breeder. What happens to those puppies is unknown.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Petland</span> claims the animal advocacy groups tie their annual protests to year end fundraising drives and prey on the sympathies of consumers to increase donations. The flip side of that argument is the protesters say this is the third year in a row the Ohio legislature has allowed the Puppy Mill bill to die in committee. They claim the commercial pet industry has ‘a strong lobby at the statehouse”, and “several powerful members of the committee make sure the bill never reaches the floor.”<br /><br />For additional background information regarding the legal battles on this issue visit <a href="http://dogservicenetwork.com/blog/get-the-facts-on-puppy-mills/">The Dog Service Network <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">LLC</span> blog</a> and <a href="http://www.columbusdogconnection.com/PuppyMillBill.htm">The Columbus Dog Connection</a>.<br /><br />These sites list the names of Ohio legislators involved in the committee hearings on The Puppy Mill Bill, but do not provide details on which legislators have received campaign donations from related lobby groups.<br /><br />Such information would be most helpful to voters wanting a common sense solution to this issue.<br /><br />For more information, the on line magazine <a href="http://www.canismajor.com/dog/puppymil.html">Dog Owners Guide</a> provides a balanced review of Puppy Mills, respectable breeders, and rescue organizations.Kel-Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04982430426722542837noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9427651.post-68268646257010118382008-12-15T13:17:00.004-05:002008-12-16T08:29:59.260-05:00"Shoeicide" Bomber Makes a Stink<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoA39yVt85bmVPJkiSEk_JXmSff8M34KEPHq-1dw_z3zvjN06CRgnI57ug0Jdm7cqsbqXytJAa3FXvBQGFmOVFDuervuRx7WQPt2cmvV-K8qLooO9OSLftr8X3cZLAsMugqi9bA/s1600-h/r.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280379526009895714" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 192px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 146px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoA39yVt85bmVPJkiSEk_JXmSff8M34KEPHq-1dw_z3zvjN06CRgnI57ug0Jdm7cqsbqXytJAa3FXvBQGFmOVFDuervuRx7WQPt2cmvV-K8qLooO9OSLftr8X3cZLAsMugqi9bA/s400/r.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The White House issued a red level footwear alert today, after a shoe throwing incident during the Presidents press conference in Iraq.<br /><br />Bush has appointed 18 year old Airport security guard Buster Brown head of the countries new DC footwear anti terrorism team. Brown will be sworn in as Shoe Czar in the Oval office tomorrow.<br /><br />President Bush joked about the incident saying “the shoe was a size 10.” However, Dick Cheney soon after enlisted Colon Powell to “toe the line” and release a Pentagon report claiming the shoes were actually sized 9-11. He then called for an international coalition of nations to invade Birkenstockistan. Cheney was later quoted as saying “This time we are gonna Sock it to em!”<br /><br />Some conspiracy theorists are floating rumors of a “second Shoe-man” and claiming the attack was an inside job, as the video clearly shows no reaction or response from security or the Iraqi Prime Minister.<br /><br /><em>*Witnesses report having heard the plop of a third shoe hitting the wall behind the president. A commission is being set up, headed by the CEO of Hush Puppies, to scrutinze all 8mm videotapes made of the event.<br /></em><br />One official from the Olympic javelin throwing committee scored the shoe bomber as a 5.5, because even though he missed his mark, he scored high on style points. The NCAA is rumored to be lobbying for a special Heisman Trophy for the throwers fancy footwork, calling him “a shoe in” for the next NFL draft. However, the secret service ranked embarrassingly low scores, as they were out on a coffee break, and missed the entire event. Apparently Special Secret Service Agent In Charge- Douglas Chesnick was replaced by a new crop of agents the White House recently outsourced through Wal-Mart.<br /><br />Bush did his best to calm fears telling reporters he felt no threat, and all members of the White House Press Corps were in agreement on the prowess of the Presidents “Ducking skills.” Loyal Republicans met the Presidents plane with fanfare, playing the blues brothers song “Sole Man” as Bush exited the tarmac. Protesters responded by dressing up as Buster Brown and sporting signs that said “Heck of a job Brownie!” and “Sock and Awe!”<br /><br />Stock in the shoe market jumped by 54% worldwide as a result.<br /><br />_______________<br /><br />*Thanks to Stephen Parrish for adding to the fun.<br /><a href="http://stephenparrish.blogspot.com/">http://stephenparrish.blogspot.com/</a></div>Kel-Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04982430426722542837noreply@blogger.com3