August 31, 2014

So the checker at the store asked "what kind of fruit is this?" ;-)

Today's story below.

Original post: How A Seed Saver (DU's own NRaleighLiberal) Discovered One Of Our Favorite Tomatoes : http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025319364


Remember the Amazon boycott! Powell's has NRaleighLiberal's upcoming "Epic Tomato" book available here: http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9781612122083-0

Use this link first: http://ilwulocal5.com/ At no extra charge the union employees get paid FMLA, sick time, additional training like new automation, family emergency funds, college scholarships, etc.




Marta and I were at the store yesterday when he asked the question. I have a voice that carries. Several people got to hear the story on NPR about the Cherokee tomato. I went on about how the high acid level gives it more of the tomato taste everybody loves tomatoes for. I went on to mention I have a small connection to the guy in the story that is responsible for making this variety available to the world. And his book will be coming out in a couple months.

Several people went to the vegetable area and bought out what was left in stock of the Cherokees. There were not many of them in the heirloom section to begin with.

We can't have a garden here because all the animals that pass through our yard to graze. So I can't thank NRaleighLiberal enough for this wonderful favor he did for ALL tomato lovers as the Cherokee legend grows. His page: http://nctomatoman.weebly.com/nctomato-and-garden-blog

OS

August 29, 2014

Bear Cub Burned in Wildfire Limps to Human for Help (see web cam too)

http://www.care2.com/causes/bear-cub-burned-in-wildfire-limps-to-human-for-help.html



by Megan DrakeAugust 26, 20147:00 pm

From the worst wildfire in the history of Washington State comes a heartwrenching tale of a bear cub surviving severe burns to her paws, muzzle, chest and ears. About two weeks after the wildfire started, Steve Love noticed a bear cub hobbling up his driveway as his dog barked.

The cub has been named Cinder by her rescuers and is currently receiving caring treatment at Lake Tahoe Wildlife Center (LTWC) in California, a wildlife rescue center. Black bears are naturally fearful of humans and do not ordinarily seek help from them but this bear must have been desperate.

Cinder’s Story

“It was moving fairly slow, and looked odd. Later I noticed it couldn’t put weight on its paws,” Love said in Methow Valley News. The cub eventually laid down on her back in some grass on the property and raised her paws in the air. Love realized the youngster was seriously injured and tried to offer help. He brought her water to drink and picked apricots from a tree which he tossed to her.

Leary at first of human contact, the bear accepted the offerings. Love reported he at one point was able to get within eight feet of the bear cub and offered encouragement in a quiet and soothing voice. This is when he noticed the severity of Cinder’s burns. “They [paws] were pretty raw,” said Love.



Rich Beausoleil gently places Cinder in a crate. Credit: Facebook

Video cams are available to see Cinder in her new place. Webcam 4 shows the ramp and Webcam 7 shows her sleeping loft. Once Cinder heals sufficiently she will be transported back to the area near where she was found to be released back into the wild. She is still demonstrating some aggression towards humans, which is a healthy sign for her successful release.


Photo of Cinder by Steve Love used with permission


FULL story at link: http://www.care2.com/causes/bear-cub-burned-in-wildfire-limps-to-human-for-help.html

August 25, 2014

Mom had Dementia and this is what she said about President Obama

"Why do so many people say he is black"? "He is Hawaiian, period"!

Two years. I still miss her.

OS

August 23, 2014

Two red roses across the moon (no daisy a day dear)

Marta and I met in Mrs Brown's (a good democrat) history class in Sept 1973. I had a past. I was a rebel rouser before we became a couple. She had never been kissed. I would have probably spent a life of in and out of jail or be dead long ago if not for her. She knows. Through good and bad, we have been us for over 40 years now. We turned out to be two red roses across the moon.

She has an eye for beauty. I still have an eye for her. When I call home on my cell phone, the photo is Marta with our 3 dogs around her.

We have always thought our golden years would be spent on the deck watching the birds and nature in our back yard, Margarita in hand. Winters in front of a fire watching the snow fall, or just enjoying watching TV together.

It ain't going to happen that way. I was diagnosed last December, just before Christmas. That is why I'm retiring early near the end of the year. Some days it is a very hard struggle just getting through the work day. I owe progressives that passed the FMLA more than most could understand.

I'll be leaving the DU in the future, not by choice. I'll tell more when I actually leave.

Now I know why people put their names on things before they go. I've intentionally cut back on posts in the Labor Group to see how it will do in the future. It will go on. Omaha Steve's Labor Group has a nice ring to it.

In the last month we have bought a few things at estate sales I consider my swan song for her. A month ago it was King Tut visits the US commemorative panels: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rRlT88dfklA/TyCs3hJSHAI/AAAAAAAAB1A/qrFpGJKN0FA/s1600/king+tut+9.jpg

Over, but not out yet,

OS

P.S. please if you get a chanse put some flowrs on Algernons grave in the bak yard." - Daniel Keyes, Flowers for Algernon


And this stained glass yesterday:




The original art: http://www.artnet.com/artists/ernest-archibald-taylor/two-red-roses-across-the-moon-iZigzCbiN55eeWiP0Ee9tA2


Two red roses poem: http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/morris/redroses.html


We also bought these yesterday:


Disney's UP comes very close to our story.

















This was a top 40 tune just before we met.





He remembers the first time he met 'er
He remembers the first thing she said
He remembers the first time he held her
And the night that she came to his bed

He remembers her sweet way of sayin'
Honey has somethin' gone wrong
He remembers the fun and the teasin'
And the reason he wrote 'er this song

I'll give you a daisy a day, dear
I'll give you a daisy a day
I'll love you until the rivers run still
And the four winds we know blow away

They would walk down the street in the evenin'
And for years I would see them go by
And their love that was more than the clothes that they wore
Could be seen in the gleam of their eyes

As a kid they would take me for candy
And I loved to go taggin' along
We'd hold hands while we walked to the corner
And the old man would sing 'er his song

I'll give you a daisy a day, dear
I'll give you a daisy a day
I'll love you until the rivers run still
And the four winds we know blow away

Now he walks down the street in the evenin'
And he stops by the old candy store
And I somehow believe he's believin'
He's holdin' 'er hand like before

For he feels all her love walkin' with him
And he smiles at the things she might say
Then the old man walks up to the hilltop
And gives her a daisy a day

I'll give you a daisy a day, dear
I'll give you a daisy a day
I'll love you until the rivers run still
And the four winds we know blow away

Read more: http://artists.letssingit.com/jud-strunk-lyrics-a-daisy-a-day-p4fpk25#ixzz3BDu20n1F
LetsSingIt - Your favorite Music Community

August 1, 2014

How A Seed Saver (DU's own NRaleighLiberal) Discovered One Of Our Favorite Tomatoes

Marta and I had our first Cherokee Purple Tomato tonight. Organically grown and delicious! It came from here: http://www.iowanafarm.com/

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/08/12/211372152/how-a-seed-saver-discovered-one-of-our-favorite-tomatoes




A Cherokee purple tomato grown in Alaska in 2011.

by ELIZA BARCLAY August 14, 201312:31 PM ET

Sherry Shiesl Tatiana's TOMATObase

Fortunately for those of us who are suckers for novelty, every year fruits and vegetables seem to come in more bewitching colors, shapes and flavors. Lately, we've been tickled by the cotton candy grape and the vibrant orange Turkish eggplant. (Egg yolks can be ghostly white, too, but that's another story.)

If you go to the farmers market this time of year, tomatoes are strutting their stuff in all sorts of glorious and quirky hues: green striped, white, pink, even purplish-brown. They boast intriguing names, like Mortgage Lifter, Arkansas Traveler and Pink Berkeley Tie Dye. Some are true heirlooms, passed down over decades or centuries. Others are brand new to the world, the progeny of the latest cross-breeding experiments.

We got to wondering just who, besides farmers, is to thank for this expanding panoply. And we learned that while there are many professional breeders tinkering with the desirable traits that show up in the new varieties, amateur breeders — passionate seed savers and collectors — also play a vital role in discovering fruit and vegetable varieties guarded and nurtured by families over generations. Every now and then, these amateurs convince seed companies that the rest of the world will want to enjoy something they've discovered.

Craig LeHoullier, a retired chemist from Raleigh, N.C., can take credit for introducing us to the Cherokee Purple tomato, one of the most popular heirlooms grown and sold today. You'd be forgiven if your first impression of this fruit, with its ungainly bulges and tones of brown, green and purple, was dismissive. But its flavor consistently knocks socks off, with its balance of sweet, acid and savory — even a hint of smoke.

FULL story at link.

Be sure and say thanks to NRaleighLiberal for doing this.

OS

May 7, 2014

Remember the post about my oldest daughter being in great pain?

Original post: http://upload.democraticunderground.com/10024873307

Here is Bear with my youngest grandchild Charlee Rayn. I think Bear's adoption worked out.

OS

April 26, 2014

My oldest daughter was in great pain

I was seperated from my first born right after her birth by a closed adoption. Several years ago birthmother, birthfather, and daughter were reunited a week before Christmas. It has been a wonderful experience for all the family members involved.

Last year my family tree grew with another grandchild. Each of my children have one of their own now. You may remember my post about Charlee Rayn: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023190997

That trip to Bobbi's adoption home closed a broken circle. One of the many memories was watching her older dog Skipper. His back legs were stiff, so he didn't really walk. His back legs kind of bounced. But the smile on his face as I watched him in the back yard told so much to this old animal lover.

Then came last month.



March 17, 2014: My heart is breaking today as I prepare to say goodbye to this beautiful little soul. The past 16 1/2 years I have spent with him have changed my life in so many ways. He was my first dog as an adult. The only dog that has truly been MINE. He has helped me through some of my darkest times. His unconditional love has changed me. We love you Skipper and you'll never be forgotten.

April 23, 2014: Meet the newest member of our family...Bear. He's a young schipperke who's beloved human recently passed. As you know we recently had to say goodbye to our Skip. Match made in heaven?? We think so!!! He'll be moving in on Friday



17 hours ago: Bear is headed home



I see see that same loving smile on Bear's face as he goes to his new forever home. Bobbi is continuing a tradition of a loving adoption.

OS

April 21, 2014

NLRB: Yuba Skilled Nursing Center pays workers $1,000,000 in backpay

http://www.nlrb.gov/news-outreach/news-story/yuba-skilled-nursing-center-pays-workers-1000000-backpay

Office of Public Affairs
202-273-1991
publicinfo@nlrb.gov
www.nlrb.gov

April 17, 2014

The San Francisco Regional Office of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) today announced the receipt of $1,000,000 from the owners of the Yuba Skilled Nursing Center in Yuba City, California to compensate current and former employees for the loss of pay and benefits that occurred when the owners unlawfully refused to hire them in 2011.

The Service Employees International Union, United Healthcare Workers West (the Union) represented employees at the nursing center before it was purchased by Nasaky, Inc. (the Employer) in 2011. Under the National Labor Relations Act, new owners, who hire a majority of employees previously employed by the former owner, are obligated to recognize and bargain with the existing union as a successor employer. The Union alleged in charges filed with the NLRB that the new owners failed to hire the longtime employees in order to avoid that obligation.

The Region issued complaint and a hearing was held before Administrative Law Judge Gerald M. Etchingham, who found that the Employer unlawfully refused to hire employees in order to avoid its obligation to recognize and bargain with the Union. In September 2012, the Board ordered a comprehensive remedy for the unlawful conduct, requiring the nursing center to: offer jobs to employees of the former owner, restore the terms and conditions of employment that existed before the successor employer assumed control of the business, recognize and bargain with the Union, and pay backpay. Thereafter, the successor employer made offers of employment to these employees, many of whom are currently working at the nursing center, and recognized the Union as the employees’ bargaining representative. However, there remained a dispute over the backpay amount.

The $1,000,000 settlement concludes an extensive investigation into the Employer’s finances by NLRB Region 20 agents, with assistance from its Division of Legal Counsel in Washington, D.C., including the issuance of dozens of investigative subpoenas, depositions of the Employer’s accountant and operating officers, and proceedings in a U.S. District Court.

April 20, 2014

Did you forget that today is an anniversary for 18 men, women and children?

I almost forgot. My thanks to Manifestor_of_Light for a reminder.



Ludlow Massacre Monument Junction of Del Aqua and Colorado and Southern Railroad tracks, Ludlow, CO. This monument marks the site where striking miners and their families were killed in their tent colony on April 20, 1914.

http://www.umwa.org/?q=content/ludlow-massacre



The date April 20, 1914 will forever be a day of infamy for American workers. On that day, 18 innocent men, women and children were killed in the Ludlow Massacre. The coal miners in Colorado and other western states had been trying to join the UMWA for many years. They were bitterly opposed by the coal operators, led by the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company.

Upon striking, the miners and their families had been evicted from their company-owned houses and had set up a tent colony on public property. The massacre occurred in a carefully planned attack on the tent colony by Colorado militiamen, coal company guards, and thugs hired as private detectives and strike breakers. They shot and burned to death 20 people, including a dozen women and small children. Later investigations revealed that kerosene had intentionally been poured on the tents to set them ablaze. The miners had dug foxholes in the tents so the women and children could avoid the bullets that randomly were shot through the tent colony by company thugs. The women and children were found huddled together at the bottoms of their tents.

The Baldwin Felts Detective Agency had been brought in to suppress the Colorado miners. They brought with them an armored car mounted with a machine gun—the Death Special— that roamed the area spraying bullets. The day of the massacre, the miners were celebrating Greek Easter. At 10:00 AM the militia ringed the camp and began firing into the tents upon a signal from the commander, Lt. Karl E. Lindenfelter. Not one of the perpetrators of the slaughter were ever punished, but scores of miners and their leaders were arrested and black-balled from the coal industry.

A monument erected by the UMWA stands today in Ludlow, Colorado in remembrance of the brave and innocent souls who died for freedom and human dignity.

In December, 2008, the U.S. Department of the Interior designated the Ludlow site as a National Historic Landmark. "This is the culmination of years of work by UMWA members, retirees and staff, as well as many hundreds of ordinary citizens who have fought to preserve the memory of this brutal attack on workers and their families," UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts said.

"The tragic lessons from Ludlow still echo throughout our nation, and they must never be forgotten by Americans who truly care about workplace fairness and equality," Roberts said. "With this designation, the story of what happened at Ludlow will remain part of our nation's history. That is as it should be."

The dedication ceremony was held at Ludlow on June 28, 2009.

April 20, 2014

Fracking foes cringe as unions back drilling boom

I in no way support fracking.

OS

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20140420/DAD9VIT80.html

Apr 20, 12:44 PM (ET)

By KEVIN BEGOS

PITTSBURGH (AP) - After early complaints that out-of-state firms got the most jobs, some local construction trade workers and union members in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia say they're now benefiting in a big way from the Marcellus and Utica Shale oil and gas boom.

That vocal support from blue-collar workers complicates efforts by environmentalists to limit the drilling process known as fracking.


In this April 17, 2014 photo, workers continue the construction at a gas pipeline site in Harmony, Pa. Dennis Martire, from the Laborers’ International Union, or LIUNA, said that the man-hours of union work on large pipeline jobs in Pennsylvania and West Virginia have increased by more than 14 times since 2008. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

"The shale became a lifesaver and a lifeline for a lot of working families," said Dennis Martire, the mid-Atlantic regional manager for the Laborers' International Union, or LIUNA, which represents workers in numerous construction trades.

Martire said that as huge quantities of natural gas were extracted from the vast shale reserves over the last five years, union work on large pipeline jobs in Pennsylvania and West Virginia has increased significantly. In 2008, LIUNA members worked about 400,000 hours on such jobs; by 2012, that had risen to 5.7 million hours.

FULL story at link.