Swimming with the Polar Bears

ONLY IN CANADA EH?


Swimming with polar bears ??

There's a place in the world where children can swim among polar bears. Since July 2004, in the little town of Cochrane, northern Ontario, you can visit the Polar Bear Habitat. It's a kind of local zoo where people can live the once-in-a-lifetime experience of an outdoor swim with polar bears. Of course, the humans are in a different pool, separated from the bears' habitat by just a layer of glass.

Can you see the water drops now?

There's a bullet proof, shatterproof glass that's almost 9 centimeters thick, because although they're cute, polar bears are among the world's most ferocious carnivores.

It took 20 years for the Polar Bear Conservation and Education Habitat and Heritage Village to it get off the ground.

When it opened it attracted some 11,000 visitors in the first six months.

And now you're invited to go and swim with all those bears if you dare.

200 years, Lincoln's Second Term

Union, have we forgotten we are one nation?

joined? (there is still much healing before us, divided land)

Lay down the language of war.

Now with malice towards none

the work not done

called to hope, we have a dream.

There is more.

Dream of our mother, dream of our father,

not just a land, but beyond

and within.

Kitchen table worries, peace

Butter, honey, biscuit peace.

Lay down the language of war Presidents

born of peace, heal a nation

with malice towards none.

Past rage laid down

we mark the graves.

It is the birthday we celebrate,

the new day, the possible

the open door.

~~ Phil Specht

Ya. Still.

kl4fore

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2009 05:42 PM, EST

It was one year ago today that we found out Ally had cancer. We didn't know what kind, just that she had a solid tumor in her belly measuring about 8cm.

We have come a long way in a year.

There are times the English Language is stupid (especially when I am trying to teach a spelling rule to my 3rd graders, and they find ALL the exceptions) and not having better words than "Thank You" is one of them. But alas, that is all we have for the many of you who have been following Ally. So, thank you, thank you, thank you.

THANK YOU!



listener responded:

If I remember correctly you heard the word 'Cancer' one year ago today, and got the news about how virulent it was on Valentine's Day. May this whole week be the opposite of that terrible week. May this Valentine's Day be extra happy. And may the year ahead be so fabulously happy that Ally will forget the struggle and Ally's parents and grandparents will at least forget about it half the time.

Thanking us seems funny in a way, because we can't thank you enough for being the wonderful parents you are and for sharing this journey with us. That big smile at the top of this page says it best. May JOY be prevalent! @>----

Now, for a crappy recipe

Oops. That would be *crappie* Other crappie recipes, here

Bill Graba's Crappie Recipe

Best and easiest recipe I've ever used!

Typical egg and milk to dip the fillets in to get the rest of the mixture to stick

Crush 1 sleeve of Saltine crackers in a large ziplock bag.

Add 1/8th to 1/4th teaspoon garlic powder and shake. (Not garlic salt as the saltines have plenty)

Melt butter in frying pan, dip fillets in milk/egg mixture and put in baggie.

Shake until coated with the cracker/garlic mixture and place in hot frying pan.

Fry for 5 min. per side or longer if you like crispy critters.

English Robin

Moon at dawn

Holding the Moon by stoneygirl

dcfrench

In France, they ask
"Where do the robins go in summer?"
The passerines all sing
Robins are darker in the Maritimes.

I sit, hands in lap,
and wait, somewhat patiently
for the indigo buntings' return
drunk on passion flower nectar

Passing at night
star steered
exactly home
perfect

The crows joyously
drive the hawks away
and it's time, past time
for the eagles' mating fall

The last of the ice
at river's edge clings
but is doomed -- spring smiles
around every trunk and blade




jjl
9 February 2009

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 09, 2009 06:42 PM, EST

We met with the surgeon today. She said Ally's G-Tube looked good.

Last Monday Ally weighed in at 18 pounds wearing only a diaper. Today (on a different scale and fully clothed) she weighed 19 pounds! The night time feedings are working! Now, if only we can get the pump to work correctly!

Our next big appointment is February 19th. Ally gets her regular set of scans, which will tell us if the tumor is coming back or staying away (where it belongs!).

Prayers are always appreciated.