Posted by *~Nightshadow~* on Feb 10, 2009 in
Miscellaneous 
Here in Florida, usually between the months of April and June, we experience a fire season. In areas which are heavily wooded, spontaneous fires sometimes start up because of lightening storms. Last year, there was a horrible fire which lasted for days and was accidentally started by a couple of teenagers. Many homes were lost, but nothing on the scale of what’s going on in Australia right now.
So many of the citizens there have lost homes, family, pets, everything. The devastation is unimaginable. I have seen posts on forums I belong to telling the most horrible and heart-wrenching stories you could ever hear. The photographs show sights that make you shudder. The wildlife is being destroyed in one of the most unique ecological systems in the world. There are photographs of Koalas begging for water, livestock in fields surrounded by fire, and more.
There is a way you can help. The Australian Red Cross is collecting donations which will go directly to those most in need. They have stated that none of the contributions will go toward administrative fees (a much criticized use of funds in the past). I’m posting the link to donate below. It will remain on this page until such time as I am able to find a direct donation page for these victims on the Salvation Army site, since I prefer to donate through them.
I hope you will find it in your hearts to give what you can to the people of Australia. I know times are tough for us here in the US, but for those who live “down under” right now, times are as tough as they will ever be.
http://tinyurl.com/Bush-Fires-directdonation
If you live outside of Australia and need to check the exchange rate, here is a very good link:
Bloomberg exchange rate calculator
Posted by *~Nightshadow~* on Feb 4, 2009 in
Classes I teach online,
Miscellaneous For those who are newly visiting since the first of the year, you will probably be surprised by my choice of a theme. It is of course, completely out of season, but I chose it for two reasons.
First of all, I know that those who are living in the Northern climes are heartily sick of cold, snow and ice right now. This winter has been very bad for them, and some areas have had snow and ice for the very first time ever. So, I thought perhaps seeing a lovely image of spring flowers might cheer them and take their minds off the dreary days of winter.
My second reason? Before moving to Florida, as the weather warmed I would go outside each day and check every flower bed in my yard looking for signs that the crocus, daffodils and tulips would soon poke their lovely heads above ground. I thrilled to see each and every bloom, and I miss that wonderful change of seasons. Here in Southwest Florida I can grow exotic things like gardenias and pineapples, but having a year-round growing season tends to take some of the shine off of gardening, especially since it also means year-round weeding…lol. So I thought, if I change my theme to lovely daffodils, I can still enjoy those blooms, without having to put up with ice, snow and blustery winds…and so I did. 
One of these days, time permitting (hah! good one!), I may actually learn to put together my own theme and then I can use whatever photos/paintings I want. Meanwhile, I’m kind of stuck with what others provide…but, having said that, understand that I think these free themes are wonderful and generous gifts and many of them are truly professional quality. I had a fabulous one for Xmas, but of course, that would look a bit odd in February.
I understand that Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow yesterday, which supposedly means 6 more weeks of winter, however, I also understand that he only gets it right 39% of the time…lol. I never did understand this custom. The official first day of spring is on the occasion of the Vernal Equinox. The Vernal Equinox always falls in March, usually around 3/20 or 3/21 (3/20 in 2009). The period of time between February 2 and March 20 is approximately six weeks. So why do people insist on pulling that poor groundhog out of its burrow?
Animal cruelty is it not? LOL….poor Phil.
I painted in the little coloring page of Phil. You may get your own image to color www.groundhog.org
Punxsutawney Phil
