The Land of Melting Shadows

There once was a land, no further away than your imagination. A Land where the Trees’ whispers can be heard on the wind. And the squirrels chitter and chatter as they scamper to and fro amongst the branches - playing their endless game of tag.

A Land where the Brooks babble endlessly amid fern covered banks. Fish and Tadpoles play a game of Leapfrog in the clear, cool water and Turtles sunbathe nearby.

A Land where the tall Grasses sway in the breeze as if dancing to a distant tune. Wild flowers wave their petals at the busy Bees who fly by; Beckoning to them. Enticing them.

A Land where the Deer graze peacefully in the lush, green valleys. A Land where the Birds and the Faeries gather in the bushes of an evening to share the day's gossip. And the Frog serenade, with Cricket accompaniment, continues well into the night.

A Land where the morning sun melts the night into the shadows of the day. And at sunset the shadows melt into night. But there are times when the shadows melt into things best left to one’s imagination.

A Land of Melting Shadows.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Weird Wednesday ~ Strange but True

Fruits of research

It's healthier to pass gas when flying than hold it in, according to a team of British and Danish gastroenterologists. Their report, "Flatulence on Airplanes: Just Let It Go," published in the New Zealand Medical Journal, explains that restraining gas could lead to "significant drawbacks," including discomfort, pain, bloating, indigestion, stress and heartburn. "Obviously," the report acknowledges, "proximity to other passengers may cause conflict and stigmatization of the flatulating individual." (QMI Agency)

Carnivore's revenge

Leafy green vegetables cause the most food-borne illnesses in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Most of the contaminants are noroviruses deposited by food handlers. According to the CDC study, plants cause 51 percent of the 9.6 million cases of food-borne illnesses reported each year, with leafy greens contributing 23 percent of the total. Meat and poultry combined for 22 percent of illnesses, and dairy products caused 17 percent. (Popular Science)

Hare-raising tales

Rabbits have been plaguing cars parked at Denver International Airport. "They like to chew on the insulator portion of the ignition cables," Wiley Farris of Arapahoe Autotek repair shop explained. To discourage the rabbits, U.S. Department of Agriculture wildlife agents remove about 100 a month, while airport parking companies are installing better fences and building perches for predator hawks and eagles. Noting that damage to cars "can run from the hundreds into the thousands" of dollars, Farris said a cheap but effective deterrent is to coat the wires with fox or coyote urine. "You can pick up fox urine at any pro hunting shop." (Denver's KCNC-TV)

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Woodmen of the World ~ Pt.1

Anyone who frequents cemeteries has probably seen at least one of these unique tombstones. And those same cemetery 'haunters' have probably wondered what the term 'Woodmen of the World' (which can be seen on the stones) meant. Was it some sort of organization like the Masons? Was it the maker of the gravestone?

Woodmen of the World is a fraternal benefit society that operates a large privately held insurance company for its members.

The organization was founded in 1890 by Joseph Cullen Root.

After hearing a sermon about "pioneer woodsmen clearing away the forest to provide for their families", Root wanted to start a society that "would clear away problems of financial security for its members".

Today, Woodmen of the World provides financial solutions (life insurance, annuities, mutual funds, college savings plans) to approximately 800,000 members in the U.S.

Woodmen of the World Members are also eligible to receive a wide array of fraternal benefits - disaster relief, prescription drug discount card, camping experiences for youth, monetary support for members' orphaned children.

Woodmen of the World is one of the leading presenters of U.S. flags to schools and non-profit groups. There are approximately 2,000 Woodmen of the World lodges across the Nation. Lodges conduct volunteer, patriotic and charitable activities that benefit individuals and communities. Woodmen of the World lodges have presented more than 1.4 million U.S. flags over the past 60 years.