Thursday, March 29, 2012

Annual Update on Monarch Butterflies

Here's the newsletter I got on the annual update of how the Monarchs fare during the winter in Mexico.  It also includes other information on Monarchs.  The Monarch Waystation Program is a lot of fun!  We have seen a Monarch birthed from the chrysalis in our waystation.
                
Greetings Monarch Watchers!

Spring seems to have sprung a bit early across the U.S. and we know many of you are anxious to hear how the monarchs fared over the winter in Mexico (we've been anxious too!) - we have that news for you and more this time around so please take a minute to read through this brief newsletter and share it with anyone you think might be interested. We have a number of other projects going right now and we will posting a lot of new information via our blog (http://monarchwatch.org) in the coming months so be sure to check in from time to time :-)

Happy Spring!

Monarch Population Status
The size of the overwintering monarch population in Mexico is usually released in late January or February. Early reporting helps all of us plan for the season ahead. Unfortunately, for reasons that are not clear, this report wasn't released to the press until the 15th of March - at the end of the season and a week after the first monarchs from Mexico had made their appearance in Texas.

The total for all colonies, as reported to the press, is 2.89 hectares. There is good news and bad news in this number. The good news is that the population was larger, by almost a hectare, than we expected. The bad news is that this number represents the 4th lowest total for the monarch colonies recorded since the winter of 1994-1995. Further, this population represents a continuation of a trend - the 8th consecutive population below the long term average.

For those interested, we have posted further discussion (with much more detail) via our blog at
http://monarchwatch.org/blog

Spring Open House & Plant Fundraiser
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Monarch Watch, Lawrence, KS

We're gearing up for another big Spring Open House & Plant Fundraiser here at Monarch Watch.  We will have more than 4,000 butterfly plants (both annuals and perennials), including seedlings of at least nine milkweed varieties. These plants are ideal for starting butterfly gardens or adding to established gardens. Monarch numbers have been declining and we need to plant milkweeds to sustain the monarch migration. Modest contributions are suggested for the plants. A list of available plants and complete details are now online at
http://monarchwatch.org/openhouse/

We'd love to see you here on Saturday, May 12th so mark your calendars! If you can't make it in person, be sure to check us out online - we plan to post photos and broadcast some LIVE video throughout the day.

If you are planning on visiting from out of town (yes, many people do), be aware that KU is holding graduation ceremonies the same weekend (a week earlier than usual) so all of the lodging in Lawrence is likely booked up. If you would like some suggestions please feel free to drop us a line anytime.

Monarch Recoveries
We've received preliminary recovery reports of approximately 1,000 monarch tags this season and will update the online recovery database as soon as we have received and checked all of the data. If you have not yet returned your datasheets from last fall (or any tagging season for that matter) please make a copy and send us the originals as soon as possible.

Each year we spend valuable resources tracking down tag data for recoveries - please help us conserve our limited resources by submitting your tag data in a timely manner :-)

Monarch Rearing Kits and Tagging Kits
It's that time of year again - we are now accepting preorders for Monarch Rearing Kits and Tagging Kits.

We will begin shipping Monarch Rearing Kits to people that want to raise monarchs at home or in the classroom the first week of April. As usual, Tagging Kits will be sent out in the fall (typically beginning the last week of July) in time for the migration in your area - please place your orders early as we will have a limited number of tags and will definitely run out.

These items (and more) are available via the Monarch Watch Shop at http://shop.monarchwatch.org - where each purchase helps support our educational, conservation, and research programs. Thank you for your interest and support!

Monarch Watch Monarch Waystation Initiative
As many of you know, "Monarch Waystations" are places that provide resources necessary for monarchs to reproduce and sustain their migration. Most of these habitats are simply specialized gardens at homes, schools, businesses, zoos, nature centers, parks, and other unused (or under used) plots of land.

Since we announced this initiative in 2005, more than 5,000 habitats around the world have been registered with us as Monarch Waystations. This is a certainly a good start, but we need to do more. In the United States we are losing 6,000 acres per day to development - a major contributing factor to the decline of monarch butterfly populations. To assure a future for monarchs, conservation and restoration of milkweeds needs to become a national priority.

By creating and maintaining a Monarch Waystation you are contributing to monarch conservation, an effort that will help assure the preservation of the species and the continuation of the spectacular monarch migration phenomenon.

Complete information is available at http://monarchwatch.org/waystations/ and you can view the online registry of all 5,000+ habitats at http://monarchwatch.org/waystations/registry

Please consider establishing and registering a Monarch Waystation this year and encourage others to do so as well - thank you!

Wow - Another Record Breaking Month!
As you may know, through our association with Amazon.com - and its specialized stores: Endless (Shoes & Handbags); Amazon Wireless (Mobile Phones); and Small Parts (Hardware Store) - your purchases can help support Monarch Watch.

By using any of the links on our site at http://monarchwatch.org/amazon to visit and shop at Amazon.com, Endless.com, Amazon Wireless, or SmallParts.com, Monarch Watch will receive a "commission" equal to a percentage of your purchase amount (currently 4-15%). This applies to ANY purchase at Amazon's stores - Apps, Books, Clothing, Electronics, Movies, Music, Office Supplies, Shoes, Tools, Toys, etc.

December 2011 was another record breaking month for us in this regard - a whopping 565 items were ordered using our links and these purchases earned Monarch Watch $908.21 - wow! Our totals for 2011 were 2306 items ordered and $3610.33 earned - thank you!

Don't worry, using our links does not affect your pricing at all - you'll be getting the same pricing as you would if you visited the Amazon websites directly. Also, no personal information is tied to purchases; that is, we do not know who made the purchases, only that they were made via the link(s) from our site and therefore in support of our program.

Please help us by spreading the word to friends, family, coworkers, and any other shoppers you can think of - thank you for your continued support!

Visit Amazon via Monarch Watch at http://monarchwatch.org/amazon

About Monarch Watch
Monarch Watch (http://monarchwatch.org) is a nonprofit education, conservation, and research organization based at the University of Kansas that focuses on the monarch butterfly, its habitat, and its spectacular migration.

If you have any questions about this email or any of our programs please feel free to contact us anytime.

Thank you for your continued interest and support!

Monarch Watch
http://monarchwatch.org
monarch@ku.edu

This e-mail may be reproduced, printed, or otherwise redistributed as long as it is provided in full and without any modification. Requests to do otherwise must be approved in writing by Monarch Watch.

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Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Healing & Niki's Miracle

by Andrew Wommack

I don't know anyone who wants to be sick. Everyone wants to be healthy. That's evident in the huge amount of money that flows into hospitals, doctors' offices, and pharmacies. People will do just about anything to retain or regain their health. That is a universal desire; you could easily say it's one of the most compelling desires of everyone who has ever lived.

That's because mankind was created by God to live forever. There is a God-given aversion in every one of us to sickness, disease, and death. God didn't create us to be anything less than perfectly healthy. Sickness came upon us as a result of our rejection of God and His ways. Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25 say, "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Death, including sickness, was our choice, not God's.

If total health is God's original plan for man, and one of the most universal needs of man is total health, doesn't it make sense that the Lord would address this need? Why is it that so many Christians are opposed to divine healing? Why do others who believe in healing fail to receive? I want to try and answer these two questions.

First, one of the main reasons I think Christians don't believe that it's always God's will to heal is that it is convenient to believe that way. Instead of making their experiences match God's Word, many seek to make God's Word match their experiences. View Video & Story Below For a Deeper Look at Niki's Story .

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Eco-friendly Floor Finish Instead of Polyurethane

Andrew Meyer believes that he's found a "whey" to help Vermont's dairy farms by turning a cheesemaking byproduct into an eco-friendly wood finish.

Like other water-based substitutes for traditional (oil-based) polyurethane, Vermont Natural Coatings' (VNC) PolyWhey dries fast and emits no toxic fumes. It releases very low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), about one-quarter the amount released by some polyurethanes. Unlike other waterborne finishes, its hardness makes it a viable option for professional-grade work, experts say. Read the entire article.

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50 Ways to Have Free Outdoor Fun

From WiseBread.com

There are lots of ways to have free outdoor fun. "Naturally," being outside can be all about exploring nature — taking a rigorous hike in a national park, for example — but there are loads of things that you can do outside that involve neither hugging trees nor sweating. Read the entire article.

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Victory on Antibiotics in Animal Feed

From Food Animal Concerns Trust

I am pleased to share some very good news with you about our legal fight to stop drug abuse on farms!  We believe that this is a remarkable victory for public health, and one that will ensure that American farms are healthier and safer places to raise animals.

Last May, filed a lawsuit against the Food and Drug Administration to finally end the use of certain antibiotics in animal feed-a practice that's contributing to the rise in drug-resistant superbugs and endangering the health of our families.

Yesterday, the courts ruled in our favor!

The presiding judge ordered the FDA to begin proceedings to remove two important drugs, penicillin and tetracyclines, from animal feed unless pharmaceutical companies can prove that it is safe to use these drugs in this way.

"This is a great victory for public health" said Steven Roach, FACT's Public Health Program Manager.  "The FDA has failed to protect our families from the spread of super bugs created on farms for far too long.  Yesterday's ruling is a monumental development in our fight to end drug abuse with farm animals."

FACT is very grateful to Natural Resources Defense Council, whose legal team represented us in the lawsuit. And a very big thank you to all our supporters who have helped put pressure on the FDA to ban the use of antibiotics with healthy animals.

Follow Food Animals Concern Trust on Facebook.

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Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Toxic Treats Killing U.S. Dogs

From ABC News

When Kevin and Candace Thaxton's 10-year-old pug Chansey got sick late last year, the couple assumed at first it was simply old age. The small dog started showing symptoms of kidney failure -- drinking water excessively and urinating in the house. By the time the Thaxtons got her to a veterinarian, Chansey's kidneys had shut down and she was in extreme pain. She died two days later. "It was so hard. It was just devastating," Kevin Thaxton told ABC News.

But the Thaxtons would go through the ordeal again just weeks later -- leading them to a new theory behind Chansey's death -- when their new Pekingese-mix puppy Penny exhibited the same symptoms, finally resulting in kidney failure. When Candace Thaxton stumbled on a Food and Drug Administration warning that there'd been an increase in complaints about chicken jerky dog treats made in China, she says she knew immediately what had happened to her beloved dogs. Read the entire article.

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The Christian First-Aid Kit

by Andrew Wommack

When you’re facing a crisis, remember what Jesus said to His disciples the night before His crucifixion: “Let not your heart be troubled” (John 14:1).

Imagine what it would have been like to be one of Jesus’ disciples at the end. They watched as He was arrested, beaten, and crucified. All of their hopes and dreams were rooted in Him, and then He was dead and seemingly defeated.

The confusion, hurt, and pain from that alone were probably unbearable, but then came the thoughts: We have made such sacrifices, leaving family and businesses, risking it all on the belief that Jesus was the Messiah. Might it all have been in vain? How long before they come to get us? That is real stress and pressure.

I believe the disciples were facing a crisis that none of us will ever endure, yet what did Jesus say? “Let not your heart be troubled.” That statement is the first step in Christian first aid. When a crisis comes—and it will—, reach for the first-aid kit.

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10 Birds That Help Control Garden Pests

With a little planning and simple landscaping, however, you can help moderate garden pests naturally in your yard. Your weapon: bug-eating birds.

"During the late spring and summer months, insects make up the great majority of many avian species' diets," says NWF Chief Naturalist Craig Tufts. The trick to enticing these birds to your property, he notes, is to first learn which of them range in your area, and then to plant appropriate types of native cover that provide insect- and bird-attracting natural foods--leaves, fruit, pollen and nectar--to sustain both adults and their insect-dependent nestlings.

Tina Phillips, project leader of Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Bird House Network, adds, "The most important thing to do to attract birds to your yard is to provide an enticing habitat, not just a nest box. Birds choose a nest site based on its surrounding habitat." Read the entire article.

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Plants To Avoid For Cats

It's always good to recheck the list of toxic plants for your feline.

Holistic Cat says:

There is a wide range of plants that can be extremely harmful, if not lethal, if ingested by your cat. Plants you should avoid if you own a cat are: aloe, holly, lilies, bird of paradise, carnations, daisies, tulips, mistletoe and ivy. Although your cat may take no interest in these plants, not bringing them into your home is the best way to avoid any complications with ingestion.

Some of the side effects to watch for if you think your cat has consumed a poisonous plant are: rash, irritation, swelling, trembling, coughing, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, vomiting and lack of coordination.


Read the entire article.

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Saturday, March 17, 2012

The Battle For Your Heart

Believer's Authority
by Andrew Wommack


Many Christians have adopted a humanistic view of things. They do not realize the spiritual implication behind what is going on in their lives. What I mean by humanistic is that they only look at things on a surface level. They think most everything they encounter on a daily basis is either physical or natural.

The truth is, there is a battle raging every single day in the spiritual realm. That battle is for your heart and the hearts of every other person on earth. God is trying to influence people and draw them toward righteousness and toward Himself, to live consistent with Him so that His blessings can manifest in their lives.

Satan, on the other hand, is waging all-out war trying to steal the hearts of people away from God. He wants to fill their hearts with his trash and corruption. And honestly, although most Christians recognize this to a degree, I don’t think they realize how intense the warfare really is and how much their actions are contributing to it.

If I could sit and talk with each of you reading this, I would find that many of you aren’t aware of the spiritual significance behind what’s going on in your lives. You attribute much of what is happening to circumstances and therefore passively accept what comes your way. When you do that, you’re ignoring ....

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Thursday, March 15, 2012

Newsletter - 3/15/12


Hello Dear Friends!

Boy do we have the romance going on in our backyard wildlife habitat.   It's been so much fun watching all the mating in the past week. 

© Donna L. Watkins - Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered hawks on a branch - no fanfare, he just wants to do business. She complains, "I'm hungry, honey," so he flies off to find a meal. This couple has been around here for quite a few years. They mate for life. I'm just hoping they don't nest in the backyard where they were mating, although no matter how much further the nest may be, it will be "our" birds that are scouted for food.

Although ... our pond resident status has been taken over by Bullfrogs and they don't like to share, besides being huge eaters compared to the other frogs. The hawks were preying on them so I guess they'll keep the population in control, although Bullfrogs will eat each other when nothing else is available.

The Northern Flickers were mating on the trunk of a tree with the male doing this funny dance with his head bobbing back and forth. Does that mean he'll be a good entertainer for the kids? Goofy is what I would've said. They normally mate for life also, so I guess she's seen his antics before ... unless this is a first year newbie from last year's nest.

The doves are running around bobbing like robins with the male chasing. I love the sounds of the male's coos during this time of year. Doves mate for life also. There's a sweet video online of a pair of doves cleaning each other. View Video.

© Donna L. Watkins - Tufted Titmouse
The Tufted Titmouse are rather noisy with vocals during their romancing and they fly all over the place. I guess the female wants to see if he's up to getting out there to do the groceries when the babies get hungry, although if this is a previously bonded couple, they mate for life too, so she would be totally aware of any faults.

We have quite a few of these birds since their nesting success rate has been good. They tend to produce two broods each year nesting in tree cavities. We have a lot of old trees in the back woods adjacent to our property so I'm sure nesting sites are plentiful.

We have a Redbud tree that we have nursed along for many years due to the fact that the deer kept nibbling on it and it had the trunk split amongst other problems.  I've felt like "Mr. Bud" and I were in the same boat ... taking the devil's wiles to kill and destroy under our belts without really putting up a good fight.

So, in encouraging Mr. Bud to hang in there, I found myself being encouraged with each Springtime that he came back to life.  This year, he's got some red buds coming out and will actually be able to look like who he is supposed to be.  What a wonderful sign that I also am "coming out" of this valley of the shadow of death into a new life through Him.

© Donna L. Watkins - Maple Tree Flowering in Spring
Our maple trees are flowering and the thought of leaves soon on the trees has me very excited.  Did you know that maple trees flower?  Maple flowers are green, yellow, orange or red.  It seems ours are reddish orange.  Though they are individually very small, when an entire tree is in flower it can be rather striking.

Amidst all of the beauty of God's Creation, there is always the devil's work to be found.  I've still not found my way completely out of these diseases, but am filled with joy and peace as the process continues to improve.

The fluids were building up which created a lot of problems since all the abdominal organs are saturated in them, so eating is of no interest.  When I finally read information online that the oral diuretics are not going to be assimilated if there's abdominal fluid, I realized why they didn't work (I had tried and stopped after a few days).  I knew I was going to have to go the IV diuretic which the cardiologist had wisely recommended, but I refused.

The Wall Across From My Bed Reminds Me
So, last Saturday we went to ER at the hospital to do it.  It took 3.5 hours till we left and it was rather a nightmare visit with the doc being "legally obligated" to fill us in on every gory detail of the process till death and recommendation to contact Hospice and be sure I have a living will in order.

I understand he has to do that for legal reasons, but Randal and I just exchanged continued glances that said, "Toss it off!"  When you're walking by faith, an accounting of the physical facts is not a bonus.  "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (yet)."

The doc's information also said the IV wouldn't remove abdominal or fluids on the legs but would make breathing easier.  He also said, right before ordering the IV, that it would only take off a litre of fluid which was about 20% of what needed to go. Randal saw my look of dismay and said, "Remember the fire extinguisher.  It will do more."

We had a lightning fire in the attic in July 2000 back in Alabama and it blew out our phone and electric.  We had a large fire extinguisher that Randal took to the attic but it wouldn't spray far enough to reach the fire.  He prayed and it shot out and made the distance, being able to extinguish it enough to run for a neighbor's phone.  I saw his point immediately.

© Donna L. Watkins - Seagull With More
Than He Needs to  Swallow
There is some information that we just don't want to swallow!

It was a somber evening though, but fortunately we got the bad report washed off by morning and were back on track with faith which is going to give the 'last report' on this.

The IV took off 50% more fluid than he said and did take it off the abdomen enough for me to eat and for the oral diuretic to now work, so I continue to move off more water each day.  So far, it's 7 pounds down the drain.  I'm also seeing improvement in my heart being stronger.  Turning over in bed produced breathing like I'd just finished running a race.  That is gone and last night I slept some without the oxygen, so things are moving about at the pace of my faith right now ... but it will grow.

Thank you to all of you who have said you're praying. It's amazing God has gathered a prayer force from all around and in very unusual ways.  It's very humbling to have so many people praying for you ... and it's very comforting to see God work so hard to bring you through.  He's already done His part by sending Jesus to die so that "by His stripes we were healed," but he still knows we are but flesh and when His child asks for bread, He does not give a stone.

There aren't many people you can converse with while going through a spiritual battle.  Everybody has their own suggestions and many with greater faith in the medical realm than the spiritual, so conversations are hard.  Words are powerful and you must choose what you allow yourself to hear and absorb.

Randal's family only found out about it two months into the problem and that was because his brother asked him to come to Oklahoma to stay with their parents while his mom recovered from her fall and broken ribs.  We only wanted to limit the endless "how's Donna" conversations with concerned and loving friends and family.

Heart valve replacement is an option but since the rheumatoid factor is in the background (having most likely caused the problem according to the doctors), then we're only patching up one hole and waiting for the next.  That's not a good fix.  Only God can make it all right with total healing.  It's part of our salvation package, but we've not been taught that, so we don't have the faith to appropriate it ... but I'm moving in that direction!

New Vinyl Deck Railing - No More Painting!
Life goes on ... we had our deck railing replaced, taking out the painted wood and putting in the vinyl option.  Since I do most of the painting in the family, it was a real chore to keep it looking good needing touchup twice a year because we get a lot of wildlife activity on our deck and have a lot of plants on it in the summer.

The great Spring weather has been lovely and it's a whole new world being able to spend much of my day outside now instead of in the guest room.  I'm still up and down all night since I don't sleep more than an hour at a time with the heart rate still messing up, but that's another thing I expect to see changed.

One thing I especially love is Daylight Savings Time!  With the warm weather and extra light it's been fun to eat on the screened porch and play a game most nights.  Reshuffles the brain since Randal has to spend so much computer time for work.  We're not doing puzzles any more.

I began a long-term project of getting my print photos scanned into digital.  Found a little photo scanner on Amazon that takes up to 4x6 and it's been working great.  My neighbor ordered one too.  It's so easy since you don't need to be hooked up to a computer.  The scanned prints load onto an SD card as you feed them through the rollers.  It's been fun looking back through old photographs like the one of Randal below.

Randal at Rodin Museum, Phila. PA
Sculpture Titled "Adam" - 1999
Randal's been amazing and so thoughtful.  He does so much and has NEVER been less than happy and desirous of finding something else to do for me.  There's never any evidence of discouragement which certainly helps me to remain strong.  He is a loyal and faithful man.  His favorite phrase since early in our marriage is, "it's my honor."  He's never missed opening my car door.

Sadly, I do not think I would be so accommodating if the situation were reversed.  One of my prayers is that God would take away MY life's schedule and totally replace it with His.  Randal has always been very adaptable and flexible.  What an example for me.

When I come to the end of myself, I find the beginning of God.  

Jesus has already paid the price and done the work.  He has given us the keys to the Kingdom and we have only to use the key to unlock our healing.  I cannot rely on myself.  God alone has done this for me, just as He has for salvation.  I need only reach out and accept it.

My soul is the bridge to move what has been done in the spiritual realm over to the physical realm.  Sometimes we've got loose wires in our soul (mind, will and emotions) and we just don't seem to be able to get there.  All strength fails, all resources exhausted, plans frustrated and we come to the end of ourselves knowing that it's only God.

Those loose wires that prevent us from moving spiritual things to the physical are like a dead battery in a car.  You have to have somebody pull up alongside you and put the jumper cables on that battery, using their power and anointing to bypass the battery (soul) and go right to the starter (body) with laying on of hands for the sick to recover (Mark 16:18).  I hope I got that illustration right. I heard it on one of Andrew Wommack's teachings.

On Friday, March 23rd at 3:30 EST I will be meeting with a prayer team affiliated with Healing Rooms International for that jumpstart.  I would appreciate anybody so led, to join us in prayer for that meeting.  Thank you!

Love and Hugs,
Donna

P.S.  If you enjoy this newsletter ... share the website with somebody else.  Maybe you know of somebody who needs something in this issue.  There's a "Share This" option on the right side.  Thanks!


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written by Donna

Posts Since Last Newsletter

Honey Kills All Bacteria Scientists Throw At It

Stewarding Our Personal Property

Thousands of Snowy Owls Migrate South

Healing Gardens

Preaching & Doing

The Wild Mating Dance of The Prairie Chicken

Socialization of Puppies

Gas or Electric Dryer?

Do Only Christians Believe in Creation?

Seeds, Flowers, Plants and Parables

Pet Foods Add Perfumes

Join the Home Farming 

Previous Posts You May Have Missed

Newsletter - 3/1/12

A Sheep Looks At Psalm 23

Canine Facial Cues - Video

Animal With The Longest Lifespan

Decisions Determine Destiny

Poop Will Solve Our Energy Problem

Laughter for Depression & Insomnia

Newsletter - 2/15/12

Whose Righteousness Do You Trust In?

A Sheep Looks At Psalm 23

Canine Facial Cues - Video

Animal With The Longest Lifespan

Decisions Determine Destiny

Poop Will Solve Our Energy Problem

Laughter for Depression & Insomnia

Protect Pets from Pet Kidnappers 

Find Out What Animals and Plants Are in Your Area

Pet Massage Video

What Animals Hibernate?

Godly Purpose for Anger

The Theater of God’s Glory

Town Grows ALL It's Own Vegetables

A Way Out of Plastic Bottle Addiction

The Heart of the Matter

Plants and Trees of The Bible

Confused About What God's Really Like?

Can Kids with Allergies Have Pets?

Toxic BPA Still In Canned Foods

Study Shows Rats Are Nice

Spiritual Graces of Natural Places

How To Overcome Doubt

The Positive Ministry Of The Holy Spirit

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The photo(s) and article are copyrighted. You may use either of them if you include the following credit and active link back to this website: © 2012 Donna L. Watkins - This article was reprinted with permission from TheNatureInUs.com. The link to use is: www.TheNatureInUs.com.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Honey Kills All Bacteria Scientists Throw At It

Editor's Note:
Our neighbors took a trip to Argentina a couple years ago and brought back some of this honey. It was quite delicious, but we certainly had no idea it was so beneficial and potent!

The story:

Australian researchers have been astonished to discover a cure-all right under their noses — a honey sold in health food shops as a natural medicine.

Far from being an obscure health food with dubious healing qualities, new research has shown the honey kills every type of bacteria scientists have thrown at it, including the antibiotic-resistant “superbugs” plaguing hospitals and killing patients around the world.

Some bacteria have become resistant to every commonly prescribed antibacterial drug. But scientists found that Manuka honey, as it is known in New Zealand, or jelly bush honey, as it is known in Australia, killed every bacteria or pathogen it was tested on. Read the story.

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Stewarding Our Personal Property

From Wonders of Creation

Folks in Western cultures probably consider land they have purchased, settled on, and worked as among their most important possessions. Capitalism, of course, considers private property ownership as its cornerstone. But do we really own land, or are we truly just landholders?

Consider this Old Testament Scripture:

The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenants. Throughout the country that you hold as a possession, you must provide for the redemption of the land (Lev. 25:23-24).

As legally encumbered as land is now in the West (for instance, my German ancestors’ farm land “bought” from a priory in 1269) it would be next to impossible for us to return to the biblical ideal implied by Levitical law and God’s prior claim.

However, I do think we would be far better stewards of “our land” if we followed these considerations.

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Thousands of Snowy Owls Migrate South

In "... the most significant wildlife event in decades," thousands of Arctic snowy owls are migrating south to the U.S. this winter. They have been spotted coast-to-coast and as far south as Oklahoma.

Experts believe a snowy owl population boom that followed mating season has forced the birds -- mostly young males -- south in search of less competition for food.

The snowy owl is one of the largest species of owl, with an impressive five foot wing span. These owls have few predators, but their population is thought to be in decline. Read the entire article.

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Healing Gardens

When Nicola Allen and her husband, Aldwin, first moved into their home on Burton Street in north Hartford, Connecticut, 15 years ago, the bleak scene daunted her. “I fell in love with the house but disliked the neighborhood. We had gun violence, loitering, noise, petty crime, littering. We would sweep the lawns of trash before mowing. We didn’t even have robins, cardinals or blue jays here. It was difficult emotionally for me to function.”

For three years, Nicola sought sanctuary by spending hours after her night shifts as a mental health counselor driving through suburban neighborhoods that had the look and feel she wanted in her community.

One day, she realized what those houses had that appealed to her: beautiful gardens that weren’t surrounded by fences. Although she “didn’t know a pansy from a marigold,” she vowed she would stop window-shopping at other people’s lawns and create her own “Garden of Eden.”

Little did she know that it would transform the entire neighborhood. Read the entire article.

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Friday, March 9, 2012

Preaching & Doing

From Wonder of Creation
Dean Ohlman

I have to confess that I have a lot of anguish of soul over what I preach and how I live. This is especially so in the area of living a creation-careful life.

Like everyone else alive in the US today, I’m a child of what could be called the Power Age of America. I obtained my driver’s license in 1958, the era of “muscle cars.” Though my first car was a gutless Studebaker, a hand-me-down oil burner we called the “Purple Turtle,” my college car was a huge De Soto Firedome with a massive V8 engine.

Driving over-powered cars everywhere; horribly inefficient furnaces pumping out enough heat to keep our Michigan homes at 70 degrees all winter long; air conditioning to keep cars, homes, offices, and stores at 70 degrees all summer long; Florida orange juice every morning; chicken from North Carolina three times a week; beef from Colorado a few times more each week, lots of tomato soup from California; cereal from nearby Battle Creek made from corn, oats, and wheat from who knows where.

Hot, glowing TV sets burning for hours a day. Those are the comforts and conveniences I became accustomed to—and virtually all of us believe we are now entitled to. And it’s all come at a price—to God’s good creation and to our physical, emotional, and spiritual life. Read the entire article.

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The Wild Mating Dance of The Prairie Chicken

It’s a bizarre courtship performance of the sort nature documentaries love to feature. But it lacks the exotic locale often required to attract finicky viewers, and the animals, well, they’re chickens, prairie chickens, and few people expect a bunch of chickens to elicit much excitement.

The thrills, though, are real, and North America’s prairies will offer plenty of them during the next few months. The key is finding the right spot and getting there very early in the morning. Read the entire article.

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Socialization of Puppies

Video by Dr. Sarah

There are no two ways about it … even though they’re unbelievably adorable, puppies require loads of work. One of the areas on which new pet parents need to focus some of their energies is the proper socialization of puppies.

In this episode of Pet Talk, Dr. Sarah discusses the latest info to make sure your wee one becomes a well-adjusted, calm and happy adult dog. Watch Now.

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Gas or Electric Dryer?

From The Green Life Blog
Questions for Mr. Green

Gas or Electric Dryer?

If you must have a clothes dryer, a gas model makes the most efficient overall use of energy, and will cost about half as much to operate, roughly 15 to 20 cents per load compared to 30 to 40 for electric dryers, depending on local rates.

Why the difference? Well, the gas dryer gets its heat energy directly from combusting gas, while the electric dryer’s heat comes from electrical energy created at a power plant. But when a power plant burns gas or coal to generate electricity, roughly two-thirds of that fossil-fuel energy is lost as heat and is not available to your dryer. There are 3414 British thermal units (Btus) in a kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity, but it can take more than 10,000 Btus worth of coal or gas to make that kWh. Read the entire article.

Got a question for Mr. Green? Submit it here..

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Saturday, March 3, 2012

My Visit To The Emergency Room

by Donna L. Watkins
Note - Posting Date is 9/28/12.  This was included in my semi-monthly newsletter issue of March 1, 2012.  Since it's quite a piece of my Healing Journey,  I'm posting it separate since family, friends and people we tell this God's Glory Story to, want to read all the details online.  God is amazing and loves us so much ... my situation is not a miracle, it's a provision that is available to all of us.  God Wants You Well!
Amidst all of the beauty of God's Creation, there is always the devil's work to be found.  I've still not found my way completely out of these diseases, but am filled with joy and peace as the process continues to improve.

The fluids were building up which created a lot of problems since all the abdominal organs are saturated in them, so eating is of no interest.  When I finally read information online that the oral diuretics are not going to be assimilated if there's abdominal fluid, I realized why they didn't work (I had tried and stopped after a few days several times).  I knew I was going to have to go with the IV diuretic which the cardiologist had wisely recommended, but I refused.


The Wall Across From My Bed Reminds Me
So, last Saturday we went to ER at the hospital to do it.  It took 3.5 hours till we left and it was rather a nightmare visit with the doc being "legally obligated" to fill us in on every gory detail of the process till death and recommendation to contact Hospice and be sure I have a living will in order.

I understand he has to do that for legal reasons, but Randal and I just exchanged continued glances that said, "Toss it off!"  When you're walking by faith, an accounting of the physical facts is not a bonus.  "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (yet)."

The doc's information also said the IV wouldn't remove abdominal or fluids on the legs but would make breathing easier.  He also said, right before ordering the IV, that it would only take off a litre of fluid which was about 20% of what needed to go. Randal saw my look of dismay and said, "Remember the fire extinguisher.  It will do more."

We had a lightning fire in the attic in July 2000 back in Alabama and it blew out our phone and electric.  We had a large fire extinguisher that Randal took to the attic but it wouldn't spray far enough to reach the fire.  He prayed and it shot out and made the distance, being able to extinguish it enough to run for a neighbor's phone.  I saw his point immediately.


Seagull With More Than He Needs to  Swallow

It was a somber evening though, but fortunately we got the bad report washed off by morning and were back on track with faith which is going to give the 'last report' on this.

The IV took off 50% more fluid than he said and did take it off the abdomen enough for me to eat and for the oral diuretic to now work, so I continue to move off more water each day.  So far, it's 7 pounds down the drain.  I'm also seeing improvement in my heart being stronger.  Turning over in bed produced breathing like I'd just finished running a race.  That is gone and last night I slept some without the oxygen, so things are moving about at the pace of my faith right now ... but it will grow.

Thank you to all of you who have said you're praying. It's amazing God has gathered a prayer force from all around and in very unusual ways.  It's very humbling to have so many people praying for you ... and it's very comforting to see God work so hard to bring you through.  He's already done His part by sending Jesus to die so that "by His stripes we were healed," but he still knows we are but flesh and when His child asks for bread, He does not give a stone.

There aren't many people you can converse with while going through a spiritual battle.  Everybody has their own suggestions and many with greater faith in the medical realm than the spiritual, so conversations are hard.  Words are powerful and you must choose what you allow yourself to hear and absorb.

Donna and Randal
Crabtree Falls, Tyro, VA

Randal's family only found out about it two months into the problem and that was because his brother asked him to come to Oklahoma to stay with their parents while his mom recovered from her fall and broken ribs.  We only wanted to limit the endless "how's Donna" conversations with concerned and loving friends and family.

Heart valve replacement is an option but since the rheumatoid factor is in the background (having most likely caused the problem according to the doctors), then we're only patching up one hole and waiting for the next.  That's not a good fix.

Only God can make it all right with total healing.  It's part of our salvation package, but we've not been taught that, so we don't have the faith to appropriate it ... but I'm moving in that direction!  I told the ER doctor (who was a Christian with a cross on his pocket) that it was either Healing or Heaven, it will not be Hospital and that I believed in healing.  He said, "Well, Jesus is a better physician than I am."



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Do Only Christians Believe in Creation?

From Christian Nature Blog

This will shock some, but a person does not have to be a Christian in order to believe in Creationism. One of the geniuses in our history believed God created the universe and he was not a Christian. Know who I'm talking about? Thomas Jefferson!

Respect for the name Thomas Jefferson reaches far beyond the United States and far beyond the English language. By the time Jefferson was 14, he could read four languages. He later learned three more. Jefferson's legacy goes far beyond his accomplishments in law and government.

He also made his mark in the fields of mathematics, architecture, medicine, agriculture, literature, education, music and science. Read the entire article.

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Seeds, Flowers, Plants and Parables

From Christian Nature Blog
April Lorier

Jesus taught through parables for a reason: He reached people on 'common ground'. Maybe that's why someone who works with seeds, flowers, and plants understands His parables better. (A parable is a short story designed to teach a lesson or a truth.)

I owned a horticulture corporation for 25 years, plus I live in beautiful Southern California where almost anything blossoms. As a result, God has had opportunity to teach me numerous spiritual truths through plants and flowers.

For example, He taught me the value of patience through Impatiens. I am just like other people - I have a real problem with wanting it now! Read the entire article.

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Join the Home Farming Movement

Triscuit (yes, the cracker) invites you to join the Home Farming movement by growing your own veggies and herbs at home. It's easy. It all begins with a love of fresh, home-grown food... and a seed. From a pot on the windowsill of your apartment to a raised bed in your backyard, we've got all you need for your home farm.

Triscuit and home farmers are on a mission: to reap food that is deliciously fresh and healthier for ourselves and the planet. Since the launch of Triscuit Home Farming in 2010, home farms have been sprouting up all over the country. And it's only just begun. Read all about the movement. You can even participate in community-based home farms and become a part of something bigger.

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Thursday, March 1, 2012

Newsletter - 3/1/12


Hello Dear Friends!

February Snowfall - View of the Pond
We had some snow over a week ago.  It came down really fast and was blowing sideways and swirling a bit.  We ended up with 6.5 inches.  Fortunately we had above freezing temps the days after and it was all gone in two days.

Snow is pretty in ways, but it's not kind to young trees when it loads them down and bends them like it did the cedar outside the bathroom window that I've been enjoying as it grows up above the curtain line.  It still hasn't straightened back up, so we'll probably have to stake that somehow or rope it in through the window.  It's only a foot from the house planted as a foundation plant on an end of the house that isn't much viewed.

© Donna L. Watkins - Winter Day View of Trees
We're winding down on cold weather since the snow, so I've been enjoying some warm deck time.  The woods without leaves is still sad in many ways, but the trees have a beauty of their own even in their shape and growth.

It's sure been great getting to see the birds so much easier.  Randal and I did the Great Backyard Bird Count the weekend after Valentine's Day.  The final results we submitted were a lot different than last year, especially when you consider we didn't have the Bald Eagle and Red-shouldered Hawk during our count.

The Common Grackles are now arriving in flocks.  The feeders are raided methodically but we enjoy being a part of their migration sustenance.  I think they're beautiful birds.  The fact they travel in such large flocks makes them a nuisance to many people, but we only get them for a few weeks in Spring and again in Fall, so we have nothing to complain about.

© Donna L. Watkins - Hellebore in Bloom - February
During the snow the hellebores drooped their leaves and blossoms and I wondered if they would recover, but as soon as it began melting, they perked right up.  I think are a most beautiful flower.  Maybe because they bloom at the end of winter before much else is ready to peek out of the ground.

Thank you for your emails and cards relating to my health challenge with heart failure.  I'm finding ways to get the fluid off better and after over a month of not sleeping more than 3-4 hours a day, I am doing better.  Increasing the oxygen seems to be the key to getting more sleep.  I am greatly looking forward to a total healing and release from this bedroom lifestyle.

There's only so many things you can do while staying in bed.  Since I'm not fond of TV, that's not an option, and I don't play computer games.  So, I decided to take on a huge project that I can muddle through at any pace.  I have oodles of photo boxes with categorized and titled print photographs.  From 1955 to 2004.  So, I got a little photo scanner that you feed them through and they get put on one of those SD cards that goes in digital cameras.

© Donna L. Watkins - Orchids - Myriad Gardens, Okla. City, OK
The project has been going very well.  The scanner is only 2" x 7" and scans to 4x6 photos.  I'm pretty impressed for the low price I found.  I'm working backward from the most recent and am just about to finish up 2001.  I back them up on CDs and then upload them to my SmugMug Gallery.  It's going to be a slow process since the whole underside of the guest room bed is loaded with photos.

The orchids are from 2001.  I find orchids fascinating plants. They are so unique and beautiful.  I especially like seeing them in the wild, as I did when I went to Costa Rica.

One nice thing that happened is I finished the tax returns for Federal and State, so that's a huge load off the brain ... especially one that is sleep-deprived.  I normally like to get it done in January, but everything got a bit behind this year.  Seasons of life.  We make the best of the devil's attempts to kill, steal and destroy, as we glorify God that we already have the victory.  What a lousy loser he truly is.  He only has as much power as we give him and all he can work from is deceit.

© Donna L. Watkins - Squirrel on Bluebird House
We have such a well-balanced wildlife habitat here, that even our squirrels are service-oriented.  This squirrel in the photo is on this year's Welcoming Committee for the Bluebirds.  He's positioned on the roof of a bluebird house awaiting the arrival of the bluebird couple that will nest there.  He's a resident squirrel so he'll give them the grand tour of our habitat we call Bluebird Cove.  Okay, not really, but it's fun to imagine such things.

I pray life is going well for you and regardless of any circumstances, you always remember that Jesus never leaves us nor forsakes us.  He is always with us and share our troubles and being within us offers His faith and resurrection power to overcome all things.  

Love and Hugs,
Donna

P.S.  If you enjoy this newsletter ... share the website with somebody else.  Maybe you know of somebody who needs something in this issue.  There's a "Share This" option on the right side.  Thanks!


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written by Donna

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Bacteria Have Personalities

Tips for Introducing a New Cat

Chickadees Are Cold Weather Machines

The Positive Ministry Of The Holy Spirit

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The photo(s) and article are copyrighted. You may use either of them if you include the following credit and active link back to this website: © 2012 Donna L. Watkins - This article was reprinted with permission from TheNatureInUs.com. The link to use is: www.TheNatureInUs.com.

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