Have FUN now, only 4 years to go and it's all over... the end...

 Scientific fact - On the average, every 200,000 years the earth’s magnetic field reverses, the last reversal was 775,000 years ago.
(Repost from last year)
The Mayans predicted that the end of the world will happen 4 years from now on Dec 21, 2012 due to a polar shift.
NASA states that there will be a massive polar shift around December 2012 and the results of that shift are unknown. The North Pole could shift to the Equator within days, weeks or hours.  Tighten your seat belts.

NASA - http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast15feb_1.htm There are some excellent links at the bottom of this site.
NASA - http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=153331
Will 2012 be the end of everything? http://www.exitmundi.nl/Maya.htm
The end of the world http://www.greatdreams.com/end-world.htm
All about 12/21/2012 = http://www.greatdreams.com/2012.htm

"Bert saves baby from freezing to death"

It was above freezing during the day but late afternoon the very strong wind and snow started and the temperature dropped below zero. Normally about 1/2 hour before dark the Chickens prepare to go into the coop for the night. Most of them did, but with the wind and snow, Betty and baby Puff were afraid to cross the snowy yard so didn't make it to the coop before dark... the temp continued to drop. It was Nasty cold.


I knew little Puff would likely freeze to death if she wasn't in a  sheltered place So we went out with flashlights and looked everywhere.  Betty then found the courage to dart across the yard to the coop, but tiny baby Puff was nowhere to be found in the dark. She's very tiny and black so is hard to find when she hides.  When we got close to her hiding place under the deck, she came out and I picked her up and carried her to the nice warm coop (about 45). She was very happy to be rescued. Bert followed me, he had stayed with the baby to keep her warm or else she would have certainly frozen (Bert has done that on 3 occasions with other hens, risked his life to save the hens).
Today, it was below zero all day but it was about 60-65 in the solar heated Aviary. The Chickens were basking in the sun like tourists on a beach.
The Pigeons stay in the aviary at night (Ambient temp) so I have covered nests for them with a small elec heater.  Sometimes they sit in the heated nests but at night they prefer to sit in the aviary on perches, even at 20 below zero (like tonight, the WindChill will be -30). I put them into the heated nests (about 20 degrees) but they come right out again. ? oh well, they don't seem to mind the cold.
Maybe they need electric blankets?

The GPS's just couldn’t agree…it got nasty.

Artificial Un-intelligence is here. Our car has OnStar which will guide you turn by turn to any destination by GPS. It speaks and has voice recognition to listen for my commands.
We also have a dash mounted Magellan mobile GPS, which also speaks and also has voice recognition for my commands.
And I also have an excellent Lowrance handheld GPS which is more technically and detail oriented than most.
We were testing them to see which we preferred so had all three operating on our 3,200 mile Minnesota–>Texas–>Minnesota trip.
So with each turn, all three GPS devices offered their opinion about the best way to proceed. Most of the time they somewhat agreed, but occasionally one said "go straight" and another said "turn right"… ? What to do? One GPS said "Do you want freeways or the route with the most restrooms…If you prefer freeway please answer Yes or No" (waiting for an answer). …Another said "You’re off course and are in someone’s driveway, do you want to re-route, Please answer Yes or No". It seems the first GPS while waiting for an answer (yes or no) heard the second GPS clearly say "NO" and the first GPS responded with "OK, I’ll re-route you with the most restrooms" to which I responded "NO" to which the second GPS said "OK, I will not reroute, … should I recalculate to go back on course? Please answer Yes or No"… "Yes" I shouted. The first GPS said in a stern voice "You must answer either yes OR no, but not both" …. To which the second GPS said "BOTH is not a valid response….. Please answer Yes or No". So then the GPS’s started arguing with each other and paid no attention to me and my wishes.
While the dueling GPS's were arguing and telling me where to go (hmmm), we stopped where there were restrooms and had coffee and looked at an atlas.
Note: While OnStar is an excellent product and is hands-free, we decided to go with the other two (yes, two) because they don’t have a monthly fee. They all work very well.

Teach your kids the value of money (and adults too?)

 (See the $212 secret surprise near bottom)

I’ve made many of these and given them to many neighborhood kids and kids of friends and relatives. This piggy bank comes with a huge surprise when filled (see below). It can be tucked into a closet corner and takes up almost no floor space.
With each one I always make them listen to a lengthy lecture (along with graphs and charts and timelines) about the value of compounding interest and how anyone if starting young enough, can effortlessly become a millionaire or multi-millionaire (Really). A can of pop purchased today would be worth up to $6,000 cash at retirement age. This piggy bank always amazes them how small amounts can add up to some real money. I make them VOW to not open it till is full (a few have waited, most don’t)
It’s useful for adults too, but of course you’ll know the secret in advance (see below) but don’t tell the kids. It took me years to fill mine, my daughter only took a couple of months.

The white PVC has thinner walls and contains more money and weighs more. The value and make up of a pound of change varies from person to person.
It’s so easy to make, and the kids seem enthusiastic. It’s one 3 foot piece of 4" PVC sewer pipe, (either white or green) plus two end caps both glued permanently in place. Make a quarter sized slot on the top piece before gluing it on.
The markings are at 4.25" apart starting at the bottom (see photo) incrementing by $25.00 with the very top being $212.00. 

You can drill a small hole in the top and put a 3' wooden dowel or wire in it to instantly see the level of the coins inside and compare it to the markings on the side, or tie a washer on a string and drop in slot.
One pound of typical? (varies) loose change has a value of about $12 to $15.
Typically made up of
.49 cents in pennies
.65 cents in nickels
1.90 in dimes
9.50 in quarters
100# of change is $1,300 to $1,400.
If your coins are in an unmarked container, weigh it and deduct for the weight of the container, then multiply number of lbs times $13 and you'll have the approximate value.
***Hint at surprise – When full, this 4’ tube will weigh about 60 to 65#
The Secret Surprise… the markings do not represent $25 each, they represent more like $100.00 each for a total of about $865.00 when full.

060823 WHAT DO ANIMALS SAY in other countries

Bilingual Chickens.

Do they have accents?? Here’s what they say based on what many of Bert’s friends have told him. Much is the same, much is different, some is similar. If you have any further to add please mention in the comments and at some point this will be updated and republished.

Repost from 8/23/06 from Y360 = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

"WHAT ANIMALS SAY in various countries"

See the following link for sounds, many animals, many countries:
http://www.flat33.com/bzzzpeek/html/bzzzpeek.html

> > > Survey results from Bert, from his friends- - -

CHICKEN ROOSTERS SAY:
USA MN Bert Cock-a-doodle-do-it
USA IN Natalia cock-a-doodle-doo or irrr-irrr-irrrrrrrrrrrr
Mexico Cancun Lisa Ki-kirri-ki
Lithuania Aiste Kakariekuuuuu!!!
Germany KwithaKay Kikeriki
Australia Missy get up you lazy lot
Canada Tom w cock-a-doodle-aye ?
Iran fh Qu-Quli-do-do
UK Stephanie (they speak English to her)
Italy Marina CHICCHIRICHI!
Vietnam Mermaidariel o` o' o o
Belgium Irka kukelekuuuuuuuuuuuu

> > > > CHICKEN HENS SAY:
USA MN Bert Cluck cluck, or Buck buck (buc buc)
USA IN Natalia buc, buc.., cluck, cluck (Or Bert get the heck away from me)
Mexico Cancun Lisa Coc-co-co-coc
Lithuania Astie kudkudak
Germany KwithaKay pock pock pock poooooooooock (usually followed by an egg)
Australia Missy brrurk
Iran fh Qod-Qod
UK Stephanie (they speak English to her)
Italy Marina COCCODE'
Vietnam Mermaidariel cuc tac cuc tac

> > > > LITTLE CHICKS SAY:
USA MN Bert Cheep cheep
USA IN Natatila cheep, cheep (not cheap) lol
Lithuania Astie cyp cyp cyp
Germany KwithaKay peeeeep
Australia Missy Hi there big boy...oh NOT those kind of chicks
Iran fh Jeek Jeek
UK Stephanie (they speak English to her)
Italy Marina PIO PIO
Vietnam Mermaidariel chiep chiep chiep

> > > > DOGS SAY:
USA MN Bert Arf Arf or bow-wow woof woof ruff ruff or when mad say Grrrrrr
Mexixo Cancun Lisa Guau guau
Germany KwithaKay wau wau
UK Stephanie (they speak English to her)
China Wang Wang

> > > > COWS SAY:
USA MN Bert MOOooooooo or moo moo
USA IN Natalia moooooooooo
Mexico Cancun Lisa Muu
Lithuania Astie MUUUUUUUUUU
Germany KwithaKay muuuuuh
Australia Missy moooooo
Iran fh Maw
UK S tephanie (they speak English to her)
Italy Marina MUUUUU
Vietnam Mermaidariel woooo woooooo'
Belgium Irka boe

> > > > NATALIA SAYS:
USA, Natalia - Bert you are hot!!

> > > > OWLS SAY:
USA MN Bert Hoo Hoo
Vietnam Mermaidariel no sound
Belgium Irka oehoe

> > > > CATS SAY:
USA MN Bert Meow
USA IN Natalia meow..., or rooooowwwwwwww
Mexico Cancun Lisa miau
Lithuania Astie Miau Miau
Germany KwithaKay miau
Australia Missy meeet, meeout (well mine did anyway)
Iran fh meow
UK Stephanie (they speak English to her)
Italy Marina MIAU
Vietnam Mermaidariel Meo meo
Belgium Irka miaaaaaaaaaauuuuuuuw

> > > > FROGS SAY:
USA MN Bert ribbit ribbit
USA IN Natalia ribbit, ribbit
Mexico Cancun Lisa crua crua
Lithuania Astie Kurrrrrrrr Kurrrrrrr
Australia Missy VB (thats beer Bert)
Germany KwithaKay quaack
Iran fh Qoor
UK Stephanie (they speak Eenglish to her)
Italy Marina CRA CRA CRA
Vietnam Mermaidariel dunno how to describe
Belgium Irka kwaaaaaaaak kwaaaaaaaaaaaak

> > > > BIRDS SAY:
USA MN Bert Tweet tweet or chirp chirp
USA IN Natalia tweet, tweet
Mexico Cancun Lisa pio pio
Lithuania Astie chik chirik
Australia Missy b*tchboy,whatya doin,shut up
Germany Kwithakay they sing ?
Iran fh It depends on the bird
UK Stephanie (they speak English to her)
Italy Marina CIP CIP
Vietnam Mermaidariel chip chip chip
Belgium Irka tjilp tjilp

> > > > SHEEP SAY:
USA MN Bert Baa-aaa-aaa-aaa
USA IN Natalia baaaaaaa or maaaaaaa
Mexico Cancun Lisa bee
Lithuania Astie bheeeeeeeeeeeeee
Australia Missy barrrrstad
Germany KwithaKay maeh maeh
Canada tom w THANK YOU (Just kidding tom).
Iran fh Baa
UK Stephanie (they speak English to her)
Italy Marina BEEEEEEH
Vietnam Mermaidariel bebebe bebebe

> > > > PIGS SAY:
USA MN Bert Oink Oink
USA IN Natalia oink oink.., or snort snoot lol
Lithuania Astie kriu kriu kriu
Germany KwithaKay oink oink / snort snort through the nose
Australia Missy gimmie a beer
Iran fn Um...we don't keep pigs. We're Muslims. So I can't know
UK Stephanie (they speak English to her)
Italy Marina OINK OINK
Vietnam Mermaidariel in in, ut it
Belgium Irka oink oink

> > > > FISH SAY:
USA MN Bert (not much) and when they’re mad they say… Glub glub
USA IN Natalia bubble, bubble
Lithuania Astie apppp apppp
Germany KwithaKay blubb blubb
Australia Missy drink my milk (Michael Klim)
Iran fh !
UK Stephanie (they speak English to her)
Italy Marina (the poor!)
Vietnam Mermaidariel no sound
Belgium Irka blup blup

> > > > DUCKS SAY:
USA MN Bert Quack quack
USA IN Natalia quack, quack or AFLAC!! lol
Mexico Cancun Lisa cuac cuac
Lithuania Astie kre kre kre
Germany KwithaKay quack (only one a!)
Iran fh quack
UK Stephanie (they speak English to her)
Italy Marina QUA QUA
Vietnam Mermaidariel quac quac quac
Belgium Irka kwak kwak kwak

> > > > GEESE SAY:
USA MN Bert Honk Honk
USA IN Natalia honk, honk (get outa my way)
Germany KwithaKay don't know - they bite :(
Canada Tom w honk-aye? (Canadian geese)
Iran fh Qaat Qaat!
Italy Rome Marinia QUA QUAtoo I suppose
Vietnam Mermaidariel somewhat the same with duck but with lower tone
Belgium Irka geese say almost the same as ducks

> > > > BEES SAY:
USA MN Bert Bzzzzzzzzzz
USA IN Natalia Bzzzzzzzzzz
Mexico Cancun Lisa bzzz
Lithuania Astie bzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Germany KwithaKay sum sum
Iran fh weez
UK Stephanie (they speak English to her)
Italy Rome Marina BZZZZZZZ
Vietnam Mermaidariel vo ve vo ve
Belgium Irka buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz buzzzzzzzzzzzzz

> > > > TURKEYS SAY:
USA MN Bert Gobble gobble
USA IN Natalia gobble, gobble
Germany KwithaKay we do not have turkeys, they come from Poland and are usually frozen when they arrive :)
Iran fh dunno
UK Stephanie (they speak English to her)
Italy Rome Marina cant remember but it's weird
Vietnam Mermaidariel dunno
Belgium Irka kloek kloek

> > > > HORSES SAY:
USA MN Bert ?? (I can’t even spell it). ??
USA IN Natalia neigh
Mexico Cancun Lisa Hiiiiiiii
Lithuania Astie Igagaaaaaaaa
Germany KwithaKay hueeeh (pronounceed hiiiiiiiii or somewhat like that)
Canada Tom w whinn-aye?
Iran fh hee hee hee
UK Stephanie (they speak English to her)
Italy Rome Marina HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHIHI
Vietnam Mermaidariel hi' hi' hi'
Belgium Irka hiiiiiiiiiiiiihiiiiiiiiiii

> > > > SNAKES SAY:
USA MN Bert Hisssssssss
USA IN Natalia hissss or ssssssssssss
Mexico Cancun Lisa Would you like to go to a time-share presentation tomorrow?
Lithuania Astie shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Germany KwithaKay ssssssssssssss
Australia Missy don't know, don't want to get close enough for one to whisper in my ear
Iran fh feeeh feesh
UK Stephanie (they speak English to her)
Italy Rome Marina PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Belgium Irka sssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

> > > > HUMANS SAY:
USA MN Bert "Blah blah blah or yadda yadda yadda"
> > > > LIONS SAY:
USA IN Natalia ROOOOOOOAAAAAARRRRRR
> > > > SHARKS SAY:
Mexico Cancun Lisa Hey baby wanna dance?
> > > > TOURISTS SAY:
Mexico Cancun Lisa "Mexico is a state" and "I don't speak Mexican"
> > > > BOYS SAY:
Lithuania Astie sex sex
> > > > GIRLS SAY:
Lithuania Astie love love
> > > > GOATS SAY:
Germany KwithaKay baaaaeeeh
> > > > DONKEYS SAY:
Germany KwithaKay i - ahhh i - ahhh f
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Check out the link at the top. BERT (Cock-a-doodle-do-it, Cluck, Buc)

How do you cure Hiccups in a Chicken?

Bert didn't know what to do.
Video is L:\MY DOCUMENTS\My Pictures\-C Pics 2007 thru -2009\000001Pics of Chickens ... 080730 ### 2 BigBertha Hiccups o.avi

This actually for real really is the real thing, the actual unedited sounds of ... ChickUps. I only edited out the long boring stretches of video and left in the short boring parts. Bert struts around showing off and ? crowing for help for Big Bertha?

Seems Big Bertha had the Hiccups and all Bert could do was strut around crowing. It didn't help.


About the cameraman - Ace L had to get down to Chicken level for about an hour on his hands and knees to take this unprecedented video. First time ever video of a Chicken with Hiccups.

060729 Pikes Peak the Hard way.

This is as far up as I could drive.

My daughter Cindy L chose to come up the hard way and meet us near the top  (Pikes Peak, near Denver Colorado).

(Repost from Yahoo 360 - July 29, 2006)

Since It’s   SO HOT   in so many places (95 here)  I thought it would be nice to  “think cold”, therefore, Winter pictures.


 These are Ice Caves near our Wisconsin farm/cabin on Lake Superior. Many of these caves are large enough to contain whole houses including the garage. Not many people get to see this because it was a very difficult 2 mile walk over jagged ice chunks and snow along the shore to get here… and it was 20 below zero F (-29c). I have lots of pictures, here are a few. There are hundreds of these caves, all covered in ice.
 


Water seeps from the roof of the caves and freezes. The water is 30 to 40 feet deep under our feet. The ice is maybe 3 feet thick.



Some caves go for hundreds of feet and connect with other caves so you can come out somewhere else.


The entire shoreline is covered in ice-falls.  This is a HUGE cave.


This is Lake Superiors Apostle Islands, 90 miles East of Duluth Minnesota. Our fruit farm and cabin are on a high hill overlooking the lake and Islands. In Summer we have boated thousands of miles amongst the islands and camped on all of them.  There are many beautiful lighthouses.  
 


Across the street from our house in town,  my neighbor girl and her dog. I got an award for this photo, it was on the cover of our City's annual calendar.


View out our back door of house in town.


Melting snow sliding off pole barn roof


Roasting Wienies in town at 20 below zero way back in the back yard Fire pit.    It was so cold our hot chocolate froze.
 


The Chickens hate to walk in the snow so Ace L clears paths around the yard for them.

There, do you feel cooler now ? ? ?