Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie) in Winter's Snow

 This little fellow 🐾 loves the outdoors, dog-walks, and snow ☃❄⛄  He dislikes the cold weather, though, like the rest of us 😊

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FYI: Easy Sidewalk De-Icer for Winter

pc: K Slone, FB

pc: amazon.com

There are a many other uses for blue Dawn dish soap.  I even used it to get rid of dog fleas in my pups 👍😊

11 Amazing Uses for blue Dawn Dishsoap

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, 

quit you like men, be strong.

1 Corinthians 16:13

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Year 2020: First Christmas Star in the Heavens in 800 Years

 Wow....I know some have heard about The Christmas Star appearing this year on December 21st. I couldn't help but really take a deeper look at how amazing that this occurrence would be happening in the year 2020.

In the year when Jesus was born, there was violence, chaos, political and social unrest. It was dark.

The Magi found him by way of the star, which was the "meeting" of 3 stars: Jupiter, Saturn and Mars. They followed the star until it rested on where he was and they began to worship him. In a time where is was dark, Light was brought in to our world. Jesus stepped in to the chaos and brought peace.

Fast forward to this year, 2020. It's a time of violence, chaos, political and social unrest. It is dark. Winter Solstice, December 21st, being a time where the day is the shortest and night is the longest...it's literally the "darkest day" and is the beginning of what most would say the cold, dark winter season.

But on the darkest day this year, Jupiter and Saturn meet, giving us the Christmas Star! How fitting...that in the moment of time during the Christmas season that we get to see this beautiful reminder...that even in the darkest of times...Light will, and has, stepped in. In our chaos He is there. In our darkest time, He is there. He brings Light, and makes all things new.

So as you look out on Dec 21st for the Christmas Star, may we be reminded of His power, and His Light that he brings for all mankind. He is perfect at stepping into chaos and bringing it into peace.

Copied from a friend... you may do the same

Jupiter & Saturn on Winter Solstice

A Rare Christmas Star 2020

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This Year’s Flu Vaccine Was Only 29% Effective

 And Officials Are Scared About What’s Next -- By Tristan Morehouse, AWM (Updated July 4, 2019)

Although health care companies continue to push the flu vaccines onto the American people, they have to get it right, or people are not going to keep using it. Now that the numbers are in, we see that this past year’s flu vaccine was another flop as it proved to be just 29 percent effective. That’s not enough for people to trust it or to turn to it as they gear up to prepare for the worst as reports that next year’s flu season is set to be even deadlier than it was this year.

The CDC reported last Thursday that the flu vaccine administered this past year was just 29 percent effective. Scientists blame the lack of usefulness to the unexpected second wave of H3N2, which is the same flu strain that is currently making Australia sick.

Because the Southern Hemisphere has winter first, their flu season often acts as a predictor to what it will be like in the United States and other countries abroad.

Now that the CDC is working tirelessly to protect the American public from getting the flu – which can kill – they are recommending that people get a flu vaccine that protects them from the H1N1 and H3N2 strains as well as influenza B.

The main reason that the flu vaccine was not effective was that the H3N2 strain popped up in the United States part way through the flu season. The vaccine that had been given out until that point did not protect against that.

Last year 80,000 people died from the flu in the United States. The CDC wants to do much better than that in this upcoming year. That’s why the United States’ government promised to endow the National Institute of Health (NIH) with $1 billion to develop a flu shot that could save lives.

Although the billion dollars was given to the organization in the hopes that they could develop a universal flu vaccine health officials are worried that such a feat might never be possible, let along in time to beat next year’s deadly flu season.

While last year’s flu shot worked well early in the season with an effectiveness of 47 percent. But when the second, stronger strain started to railroad people across America, the vaccine’s effectiveness dropped to just nine percent.

CDC’s Brendan Flannery admitted that the vaccine offered “no significant protection” against the H3N2 strain.

Every year scientists unite to determine which strains are going to be most prevalent. That’s why vaccines are built to protect people from three or four strains of the virus, the ones predicted to be the most deadly and widespread.

However, scientists cannot always predict the future, and as is the case in the 2018/2019 flu season, the H3N2 strain came out of nowhere.

Flu is particularly challenging for scientists to create a vaccine because the virus can change and adapt so quickly.

Nevertheless, flu shots are recommended for all Americans age six months or older. Although it is not perfect, last year’s vaccine saved an estimated 40,000 to 90,000 people from hospitalization.

Only 29% Effective

11 REASONS WHY THE FLU SHOT MAY BE MORE DANGEROUS THAN THE FLU

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You Want Colour? Consider Missoni for Bath Towels

When there's nothing but ice, snow, cold temperatures, and cloudy days -- furnish your home in vibrant shots of color with Missoni. 

pc: Horchow

Photo by Missoni Home -

pc: Horchow

Photo by Beatriz Pons -

pc: Horchow

pc: Missoni

pc: Nordstrom

NOTE: Missoni products are rather pricey. Buy items which are on sale. I've usually bought my towels from HORCHOW or Amara (UK). Horchow has free shipping for towels.  

Missoni Home

Bright, Vivid Colors

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Great Sea Story for New Year 2019

The passenger steamer SS Warrimoo was quietly knifing its way through the waters of the mid-Pacific on its way from Vancouver to Australia.

The navigator had just finished working out a star fix and brought Captain John DS. Phillips, the result.
The Warrimoo's position was LAT 0º 31' N and LONG 179 30' W. The date was 31 December 1899.

"Know what this means?" First Mate Payton broke in, "We're only a few miles from the intersection of the Equator and the International Date Line". Captain Phillips was prankish enough to take full advantage of the opportunity for achieving the navigational freak of a lifetime. He called his navigators to the bridge to check & double check the ship's position. He changed course slightly so as to bear directly on his mark. Then he adjusted the engine speed. The calm weather & clear night worked in his favor. At mid-night the SS Warrimoo lay on the Equator at exactly the point where it crossed the International Date Line! The consequences of this bizarre position were many:

The forward part (bow) of the ship was in the Southern Hemisphere & in the middle of summer.

The rear (stern) was in the Northern Hemisphere & in the middle of winter.

The date in the aft part of the ship was 31 December 1899.

In the bow (forward) part it was 1 January 1900.


This ship was therefore not only in:

Two different days,

Two different months,

Two different years,

Two different seasons

But in two different centuries - all at the same time!

Good to know daily
and all through Yr 2019

SS Warrimoo

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Health Alert: the FLU-pocalypse of 2017-18 is Coming!

 There may be ZERO benefits to your getting the flu shot this year. 

Based on Australia's experience as they wrap up their Flu Season, our flu season will be as miserable and will affect many more:

That's right, folks. Things didn't go exactly as planned. The "experts" in the medical field are as human and prone to mistakes and miscalculations as the rest of us common folk.  

Read the rest of the article (written by  By Regan Pifer) in the link below:

Ineffective Flu Shots 2017-2018

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Wisconsin Summer Camp during Winter Season

Angus Burger (sooo many toppings; the best burger I've ever tasted!!!!)

"Forever Trevor Blue Drink-O-Rama" (may look like Antifreeze, but surprisingly delicious!)

Ice cream Palooza ('cause they're ... not afraid of Winter...)

Camille, Jared, and Jill spent Saturday through Sunday at the Christian Youth Camp in Lake Geneva, WI for a Staff Retreat. The temperature was frigid during the two days, but the Cafeteria where we met-up with them and had our Lunch was warm and inviting.  I felt even better/warmer when, (a) the meal was FREE because of Jared's volunteer hours; and (b)  the two older ones were offered paid positions for the upcoming Yr 2010 Summer-camp Season  as Assistant Cook (Camille), and Head Dishwasher (Jared).  Jill applied as a volunteer, so we shall see what opportunities the Lord will open for her at the Camp.  Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow!!!