Fr. Tony Update...
What's Next?...
Saving the Wild Parrots...
Futzing About...
"I feel the Earth Move Under My Feet", but no "sky tumblin' down"...
FR. TONY UPDATE...
We seem to be moving past (crossing fingers and toes) the post-chemo fever. YAY! Next Tuesday will be the last round of Rituxan, in this 4 week cycle. Fr. Tony will surely enjoy the break!
I've been reading a bit about some of the recent stem cell bills passed in legislature, and as this has become an important issue in our lives, I thought I'd share the following and ask that you take a tiny slice out of your busy day to contact your local representative.
What's next? Contact your Representative in support
of full funding for adult stem cell research.
If we are serious about finding cures for diseases and conditions afflicting millions of Americans, we must fully fund non-controversial stem cell research.
First on the agenda should be fully funding research on umbilical cord blood. In the 109th Congress, the House passed the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005 by a vote of 413 to 0. The bill authorized funding for stem cell research from umbilical cord blood. Umbilical cord blood is a rich, non-controversial source of stem cells. Currently hospitals throw away millions of umbilical cords / cord blood units each year because the infrastructure required to properly collect and store them is not available.
When funded, the bill will increase the number of cord blood units and cord blood stem cells available for treating patients, and expanding research will greatly increase the number of people who can be treated. Despite passage of this landmark bill and overwhelming support, the promise of help for people suffering from leukemia, lymphoma, and more than 70 other diseases came up empty. Not a single doller was allocated.
It is not too late. Since the funding bill has yet to be completed, contact your representative to urge full funding for this important research effort.CLICK HERE to search for your representative's contact information.
Excerpted from DFLA
Saving the Wild Parrots
"The trade in wild birds is to be permanently banned across the European Union starting in July, EU animal health officials have decided.
The move will replace a temporary ban imposed by Brussels in 2005 as part of measures to prevent outbreaks of the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu.
Animal welfare campaigners say the permanent ban will save millions of birds, including many rare species. Only captive-bred birds from approved countries will be allowed into the EU."
THIS is fantastic news! Tens of thousands of parrots are caught illegally every year, and a sizable number of them never make it to their destination, because of the deplorable way in which they're trapped, kept, and shipped. Prior to the temporary ban being imposed in 2005, about 1.7 million wild birds were imported annually into the EU.
I know! Horrid picture, but the truth can sometimes be VERY ugly!
"About 60% of the birds caught for import died before they reached Europe from poor handling or disease, Britain's Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said."
This is especially true for the African Grey Parrot, who finds it's home throughout the Congo, and north along the western African coast.
"Campaigners have blamed Europe's trade in wild birds as a significant factor in the decline of many threatened species such as the African grey parrot. "
If you know much about the exotic pet trade, there are an ample number of private breeders to supply the devoted pet owner. Capturing parrots in the wild is completely unnecessary. Once this new ban takes affect, the next problem facing the African Grey Parrot is the ever shrinking habitat they call home, due to ever expanding deforestation. sigh.
If you're interested in learning more about this issue, and the plight of many other wild parrots, visit the World Parrot Trust website.
Futzing About...
Amy Butler Patterns have arrived! YAY! Now, I have a pattern for the Messenger bags to work with, that's not too complicated to figure out. I've also finished Caylin's Birthday Present (Happy 5th Birthday Caylin!) Must get working on Fr. Tony's cap for his trip to NYC, and begin braving making a new Chasuble for him. Will try to squeeze in time to get new bags done.
I Feel The Earth Move Under My Feet...
Either I'm losing my mind, or something odd happened yesterday. It was 5 minutes to 5pm when Fr. Tony and I heard a low, deep, dull rumble. In a split second I thought... as I was looking toward the large window in our living room... "Is that thunder"? But, it didn't sound like the "usual" thunder, and there was no big flash of light, or loud sharp thunder clap. Then, I noticed as I was looking out the window, the the huge window was quivering, and did so for a good 4 to 5 seconds.
This Florida gal has never experienced an earthquake, so I have no clue what that rumble and shaking was all about, but it sure didn't seem like any thunder I've ever experienced, and I've lived through some pretty wicked thunder storms in my day.
So, who knows! There was an 8.2 earthquake over in Japan yesterday. Maybe something happening in one of the many coal mines around here? Boggles the mind!
I shall close for now. In spite of the icky nasty rain we've been getting all day, I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend where they are.
