"Arbor Day"

Arbor Day is on 4/29/11. If you're a lover of trees like me you may want to pay attention to this special day. Trees play a very important role in our environment. Trees recycle carbon dioxide we breathe out and convert it to oxygen. Trees cleaned the air and make it breathable, as well as provide shelter for animals. Trees give us fruit, seeds, nuts and maple syrup. Trees provide us with shade in the summer. I hug a tree every chance I get.

For in the tree nature of things, if we rightly consider every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver -Martin Luther

There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it -Minnie Aumonier

And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, brooks in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything -William Shakespeare

Arbor Day is a day to show your appreciation of trees. Go out and plant a tree or just hug one for me.

Sherry/treehugger-peninhand.blogspot.com

"Four Paws"

"Dogs Burglary Gone Right'

Just before a recent prestigious dog show, four highly regarded show dogs were stolen from their handlers' van outside a motel. The local police got involved quickly but clues were hard to come by. The dogs' owners enlisted the help of the local press and media, who instantly obliged by posting photographs of the dogs and their owners' information on their websites. Even after this effort, still nothing. But, as with most dog stories that warm our souls, this one ended with a miracle. The thieves must have had a sudden change of heart, because all four dogs were suddenly returned. The dognappers are still at large, and their reasons for returning the dogs remain unknown. But one detail does strike a solid chord: Trace, a champion Akita in the group of thieved dogs, is valued at more than $250,00. (HealthyPet)

"You Have to Love It"

I received this note the other day:

We increased the benefit amount on your record because you had additional earning. However, the benefit we pay you on the other record decreased when we increased the benefit on your record. The new benefit on you record will ????? and your new benefit on the other record we be ????? Since there is no change in the total of the two records you will continue to receive the same amount from your records. If you disagree you have the right to appeal. You must have a good reason if you wait more than 60 days to ask for an appeal.

Talk about a brain puzzle. At first, I couldn't get my mind around what I was reading. By the time I read it for the third time, I was laughing so hard, I almost didn't make it to the bathroom. Have you ever read anything so wacky?

Until next time,

Sherry/treehugger

"Four Paws"

"I WANT TO BE CLOSE TO YOU"

Some dogs follow you everywhere you go. You walk into another room, in time, there's your dog checking everything out. You're in the bathtub and suddenly a wet black nose comes through the curtain sniffing, and then the head appears with an expression of "Well, would ya look at that!"

Can you stop him? Not really. He's just being a dog. Our pets accept us so readily for being the way we are. Perhaps we should do the same from them. (H.N. Wright)

Animals are such agreeable friends; they ask no questions, pass no criticisms (G. Eliot)

"Concrete Language"

Prefer the specific to the general, the definite to the vague, the concrete to the abstract.

A period of unfavorable weather set in (Or) It rained every day for a week.

He showed satisfaction as he took possession of his well-earned reward.

(Or) He grinned as he pocketed the coin.

If those who have studied the art of writing are in accord on any one point, it is this: the surest way to arouse and hold the readers attention is by being specific, definite, and concrete. The greatest writers-Homer, Dante, Shakespeare-are effective largely because they deal in particulars and report the details that matter. Their words call up pictures. (Strunk & White)

Happy Writing,

Magdalena

"Walt Whitman"

Within the crowd of passengers on that December day in 1855 stood a man dressed in laborer's clothes. In his checkered shirt, baggy pants, and broad-brimmed hat, Walt Whitman resembled the crew that piloted the ferry. He had the large build and ruddy face of someone who spent his time outdoors. Whitman admired the simple, hardworking ferryboat pilots. He often rode beside them on his many trips across the river. "I am a common working man,too," his clothes told the world. But Whitman, a former journalist, teacher, and builder, had chosen to be a poet. The poems in Whitman's small book, Leaves of Grass, expressed how it felt to be one man, yet one with all humanity. "Every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you," he told his readers.Whitman's poetry proclaimed his love for his fellow human beings. Through his words, Whitman believed, he could reach across time and great distances to connect with other people. The poetry in Leaves of Grass spoke directly to its readers, asking them to "thrust me beneath your clothing, where I may feel the throbs of your heart or rest upon your hip." (C. Reef)

"I am with you, you men and women of a generation, or ever so many generations hence . . ."

A great poet to study.

Until next time

Sherry/treehugger-peninhand.blogspot.com

"Four Paws"

Confessions of a dog owner: Are you guilty of the following? Market research found the percentage of dog owners did the following:

1. Do you kiss your dog? 51%

2. Would we find in your wallet a picture of your furry friend? 40%

3. Talked to your dog over the phone? 33%

4. Have you ever called your child or spouse by your dogs name? 38%

5. Have you dressed up your furry friend with a ribbon or scarf? 86%

6. Is your dog named as a beneficiary? 28%

I'm guilty of all but #6. I admit it. I'm a little foolish when it comes to my dogs. Can't help it. I love them. Somehow, they've ceased to be animals and have become instead my treasured friends.

Annie Oakley once said, "Any woman who does not thoroughly enjoy tramping across the country on a clear frosty morning with a good gun and a pair of dogs does not know how to enjoy life."

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." (R. Caras)

Til next time,

Sherry/treehugger-peninhand.blogspot.com