The Reviewer's Dog, Daisy, Models Her
Patriotic Bandana on the 4th of July
Bandanas, Collars, and Clothes (Oh, my!): Apparel for Your Patriotic Pooch
It's summer, which is synonymous for "fun," and one of the most fun holidays of the year happens to fall smack dab in the middle of summertime, on the 4th of July.
While picnics, parades, and parties are popular ways to celebrate Independence Day, people love to dress up in patriotic patterns and colors, too, to demonstrate their love for their country. For those of us whose pets (in this case, dogs) are important members of our families, we like to include them in our celebrations, too.
Let's review a few ways your dogs can help to show off your family's patriotic pride.
Red, White, and Blue Bandanas for Dogs
Patriotic Bandana with Space for Tags
by KirasPetShop on Etsy
During the weeks leading up to the 4th, it's easy to find bandanas in patriotic colors and designs as you stroll through your local department store. While it's fine to pick up an extra bandana for the pup, there are options that work better for dogs than using scarves designed for people.
For instance, take a look at this, my favorite dog bandana design, which works with the dog's collar. The bandana actually attaches over the collar using velcro, a feature you may have seen before, but the truly unique part is that there's a slot in the middle for the dog's tags to hang through. That's not only convenient, it also keeps the scarf from sliding around the dog's neck while you're on your daily walk. Order this bandana in sizes from extra-small to extra-large.
A red, white, and blue dog collar is a quick and simple way for your patriotic pooch to show her true colors. Stars, stripes, and American flag patterns are always popular. Consider a bright patriotic collar with a pretty bow for her or choose something more subdued like the red, white, and blue preppy plaid collar for him, as shown above.
ACU Digital Camo Dog Collar by Swanky Pet on Etsy
If you're looking for something a little different but equally patriotic and perfect for a dog belonging to a veteran, take a look at this awesome made-to-order digital camo dog collar. It's sturdy and includes a high-quality metal ring (or substitute plastic hardware) for displaying your pup's dog tags.
Patriotic Dog Clothes
Thank God For Our Heroes Patriotic 4th of July Dog Dress
by JustForBella on Etsy
I've saved my favorite 'til last. This is for the girls, custom made for dogs 8 to 18 inches in girth. It's a harness dress, which I like because of the practicality, its custom fit, and the velcro openings at the neck and tummy. The embroidered message on the back of the dress says, "Thank God for our Heroes" in red and blue and includes white stars as well. The patriotic-patterned skirt is trimmed in pretty rick-rack and the outfit is topped off with a beautiful bow and heart-shaped button. There's a convenient D ring at the waist for attaching her leash. This is such a beautiful dress, created by a popular, 5 star-rated Etsy designer/seller. Be sure to check out her other designs, too, including this whimsical, totally adorable, and very seasonal red, white, and blue flip-flops dog harness.
Whimsical Patriotic USA Flip-Flops Dog Harness by JustForBella on Etsy
No matter which patriotic holiday is on the calendar, I hope you'll include your canine companions in your celebrations. Before you take your dog out during the day, even if it's just for your daily walk through the neighborhood, take an extra few seconds to tie on a patriotic bandana or switch to a red, white, and blue collar. It's an easy and fun way to show off your patriotic pride.
P.S. Did you know that July 5th is the day that the greatest numbers of dogs are admitted to animal shelters? Please keep your pets indoors and safe during 4th of July fireworks celebrations so they don't run away.
Posted by Susan Deppner
About the Author
Susan Deppner is a baby boomer, a cancer survivor, and a Southerner who believes in the Golden Rule. She enjoys writing about food, faith, and fitness; health, home, and holidays; people, places, pets, and patriotism, and more. Follow Susan on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Blink! What do you think? I missed something, Right? Well, that's what I'm hoping to help you with today!
On the Calendar of Days, today is Photographing Nature Day and why should that day end when the sun goes down? As a matter of fact, much of what happens in the yard, happens after dark! I know for a fact that a lot happens in my yard after everyone has called it a day. I can hear the chatter of the nightlife begin to awaken. I just can't see them anymore! Blink Home Security Camera System, Wireless, Motion Detection, iOS & Android App, HD Video, 1 Year Battery Life, Free Cloud Storage - 1 Camera Bundle With that thought in mind, I decided it was time to look for a way that I could see what was going on in my yard after everyone has turned their lights out for the night. I came across an ingenious way of seeing what was happening without having to be there in person. In my yard, we have a pond that has waterfalls in it. I love the sound of water falling at night, it makes me sleep so soundly, I feel like I'm one with nature! The only thing that I find distressing, is that I hear other sounds as well and I would love to go out there and see what or where those sounds are coming from. I confess, I'm a bit of a chicken, I won't go out there in my jammies because we have had skunks and the like come to visit at times. No late night encounters with those little stinkers are going to happen, a least not with me! To the rescue comes the Blink Camera!
This camera is sold as a home security camera. It links with WiFi to your phone and can show you what is happening as it is recording. Home security cameras operate on motion sensing, when motion is "seen" by the camera, the recording starts. So this makes perfect sense in the night time hours in the yard. You are not going to be filming the darkness, but when that camera senses motion, it will start to record. So whatever is playing in the yard at 2 in the morning, is sure to be filmed for me to review. That's what I want! I want to see what is visiting my yard in the early hours of the morn.
I am having this mounted on a small table that is in our backyard, The post that holds the tabletop doubles as the power source for the pond. But the Blink camera doesn't need that, it is battery run. The post though, will make a great mounting board for two reasons, one, it's near the pond and two, it will shelter the camera within a small water-resistant shelter that I saw on YouTube. These cameras are not really meant for outdoor activities, but with these modifications they should do quite nicely to watch the wildlife playing in the wee hours of the morn....
As stated in this video, you will probably nullify the warranty on the Blink camera for using it this way, but for the money, it is a worthwhile experiment.
I hope I have triggered your interest in the wildlife that might be playing around your backyard and at the same time give you an option to capture those creatures without breaking the bank. Have fun and enjoy not only through the day, but also at night, the antics of those creatures that we share our spaces with!
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
...And why I am writing a review of my own colored pencils.
Aurora-ArtSupplies.com
Ever since I published my first coloring book last year I have been getting lots of letters from fans and questions about which colored pencils I recommend. I also color myself, and my artist husband colors his sketches before he paints, so we have a lot of colored pencils at our house. I wanted to find out which ones are best for which types of coloring so I bought a bunch of them. There is quite a variety of coloring pencils, so it can be an adventure to choose the right ones. Then in the midst of this experiment, I read that due to the worldwide coloring craze going on, stores are having trouble keeping them in stock! Some people in my coloring groups were telling me that they had to wait for over 3 months to get the ones they want. A light bulb went off in my head. What if I could create some really high quality coloring pencils that are not so costly as the ones available right now? So I asked around in my groups for a list of what people are looking for in a coloring pencil. Not everyone wants the same thing of course, but there are some common themes. Colorists want creamy coloring pencils with colors that blend easily. They want a variety of colors. They mostly like hexagonal shaped pencils so they won't roll off the table. They want longer ones. Many coloring pencils come in 5 inch lengths, and people feel ripped off. By the time you sharpen them a few times you are dealing with a stubby pencil. And they want them to be strong enough that they won't break easily. A big request was that the pencils be usable as water color pencils by adding water. And they want them to be affordable. Whew! That's a long wish list!
But I took my list and started talking to suppliers in China. (I really wanted to find an American supplier, but had no luck, so I went to China. Even some of the most expensive coloring pencils are made there, and the factories are already set up so all you have to do is give them your specifications.) One of the first things on my list of specifications was a larger lead inside the pencil so that the lead would be stronger, and the pencils would last longer. (Of course it's not real lead, and it's non toxic!) Then I made sure mine are 7 inches long. All of those factors mean you are already getting more for your money than you would with a lot of coloring pencils. Then I had the supplier give me lots of different formulas to choose from. I selected a formula that is wax based, but with less wax than a lot of them, and more pigment. This makes it possible to add a little water to your pencil and blend so the result is somewhat like the effect of water colors on the finished art. For my first product, I chose a set of 48 colored pencils, which gives a variety of colors and since they blend easily you can make other colors by blending 2 or more of them. In the future I will add a set of 72, and a smaller set of 36. I will also add different types of coloring pencils, for example, very soft chalk type oil based pencils. (like Prismacolors) I also plan to add colored markers and high quality artist brushes to my line of products. Aurora Art Supplies™ is just getting started as a company, but it's here to stay. Stay tuned for many more products! You can see the company website here: Aurora Art Supplies™ Here is my first set of colored pencils, available now at Amazon. I already have happy customers. You can see for yourself they are vibrant! I included a mini coloring book of flowers hand drawn by me for the first 1000 customers. I hope everyone will love them!
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
I am slow to buy the latest thingamajigs and doodads. I'm not sure why, but my tendency is to not buy things when they are new on the market. I recently purchased a NutriBullet Pro 900 and I regret having waited for so long. If you like smoothies or if you are committing to a more healthy diet, I highly recommend the NutriBullet Pro 900.
Why I chose the NutriBullet Pro
My inexpensive blender finally gave up. While it was operational, I thought it did a suitable job making smoothies. I didn't feel like it was a big deal when the occasional banana blob got caught in the straw or the chunk of ice crunched between my teeth. I loved the heavy-duty glass pitcher and it worked well to make my smoothies every few days. But then it wore out and was beyond repair. I had been reading reviews of different "smoothie" makers. I've listened to friends talk about their wonderful and expensive blenders. I still procrastinated and didn't make a purchase. I didn't want to spend the money. I didn't want another kitchen gadget. And frankly, I thought smoothie makers were over-priced and just a gimmick. In the meantime, I missed my occasional morning smoothie much more than I thought I would. So far, my NutriBullet Pro has done a great job. Not only does it crush ice completely, and mix the bananas into a smooth drink, it transformed carrots, a splash of orange juice, a splash of french vanilla creamer, ice, and water into an "orange" creamsicle drink! Yes. Carrots pulverized into a smooth and creamy drink. I believe the NutriBullet folks refer to it as "extracting" but I prefer the word pulverizing. While ultimately, there are more pieces with this system (the base, the two cups, the cup ring, lid, and handle attachments, and the blade assembly), somehow this seems easier than using my old blender that only had three pieces. With the NutriBullet, I just add my ingredients to the cup, screw on the blade assembly, turn it upside-down and press and turn it slightly into the base. Then I watch it pulverize. When finished, I just remove it from the base (easy), remove the blade assembly, and add the cup attachment I prefer (the sippy-lid). With my beloved blender, I had to choose a variety of settings (the ice setting first, followed by one of the higher settings). I also had to stop the blender and scrape ingredients from the sides. While I thought I'd miss the glass blender jar, the smaller cups are faster and easier to wash. I regret having waited so long to add this machine to my kitchen and the health benefits to my life.
Pros
In addition to the creamsicle flavored smoothie, I like the following about the NutriBullet Pro 900:
the NutriBullet Pro 900 is 900 watts - which means little to me except that it is far more powerful than my blender was
is able to "breakdown" ingredients like carrots, nuts, flax seeds, and so on.
it is very easy to use - no fancy buttons or settings
it takes up very little counter space
the cups are dishwasher safe (top shelf)
recipe book is included & free app with recipes available
nutritional information booklet -the reported health benefits of a variety of fruits, greens, and "boosts"
a 133 page booklet of recipes, health information, and testimonials
Cons
My only concerns are mild concerns. So mild that I nearly did not mention them here. But I decided to list them in the event someone who designs the future NutriBullet models reads this.
I am a 51 year old woman with short fingers, weak hands, and apparently with worsening vision. I would still rate my NutriBullet Pro at 5 out of 5 stars. But the following are my concerns:
the "max" line on the cups are VERY hard to read with the ingredients in the cups
the attachments (the blade, and the cup ring attachments, etc) are a large size that are nearly too large for my short fingers to grasp while turning
the attachments may be difficult for folks with arthritis, or other problems with grasp, to use easily
However, these issues will not cross your mind if you have good vision, average length fingers, and good grip. Perhaps the NutriBullet folks will make a NutriBullet Seniors model.
Next week I will explain why smoothies are important to me and I'll share some delicious smoothie recipes from my friends.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
When we're looking for a unique gift for someone, most of the time we tend to think in limited terms. A Lighted Quote Box is a gift that enables you to keep adding on to it.
With a Light Box, the box is designed in such a way that you can interchange the quotes you want to display.
After you've given the gift of a beautiful lighted quote box and a few quotes, you can continue giving or gifting more quotes whenever the occasion calls for it. Give several quotes as an added gift; it's a wonderful way for a person to collect quotes they may not otherwise buy themselves.
Best of all, the choices of quotes to fit in a lighted box range from seasonal to inspirational and more. In other words, celebrate any special occasion by featuring a quote in your light box that reflects what you want people to see; Happy Birthday, Happy Easter, a Religious Quote, Inspirational, Home Sweet Home, I Love You More, God Bless America and the list goes on.
Wall quotes are also a wonderful funky home decor option, however, sometimes featuring wall words isn't an option. That's where Lighted Quote Boxes come into play ... they enable you to feature the words you want to say and provide you with the added benefit of frequently changing them out.
Mood Lighting with a Message
The soft light provides you a creative way to double your pleasure; add ambience to a room while at the same time delivering an inspirational or seasonal message to all those who enter.
These days especially, words are powerful. If you'd like to spread a little goodness without opening your mouth, simply feature a lighted quote box in the room to do all the work on your behalf.
Use Them As a Special Decorative Piece for a Wedding Reception
How beautiful would it be to feature these lighted quote boxes in various places around a wedding venue?
Strategically position them, with one beside the quest book featuring a choice quote to represent the couple. In the case of Buffet Dinners, place one or several on the table with a quote that fits.
Since quotes are always interchangeable, after the wedding use the Lighted Quote Box for any additional occasions or just display them at home.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
I recently wrote a review about the best air freshener for people with chemical sensitivities. That natural air freshening recipe utilizes only two ingredients: baking soda and essential oil. Since my discovery of that air freshening option, I have tried a new scent. I am writing again to update that article with comments about how well it works and the new scent I have begun using.
It Freshens!
The essential oil and baking soda combination works! I began with peppermint oil and just used a few drops in a small amount of baking soda. It created the lightest hint of scent in my office. If you are looking for something that will mask or resolve sudden strong odors, I do not think this solution will be effective. But for a constant, fresh, and mild scent this is a great choice. And the few drops of essential oil lasted for far longer than I thought it might. In fact, I dumped it out before it wore out, so that I could change scents.
The New Aromatherapy Scent: "Calming"
As I had written previously, I was aware that the peppermint essential oil would not trigger a migraine. That is why I used it for my trial run. Although, a room that smelled like peppermint was not my ultimate goal. I tried a new scent, and it works great too. It is the "calming" oil by Nature's Truth. I can't comment on whether or not it is "calming". But it is a great citrusy scent. The Nature's Truth website refers to it as "floral, sweet, and citrusy, with notes of herbal spices..." I did add WAY too many drops to the baking soda so the scent is much stronger than my peppermint oil concoction was. In order to control the amount of scent in the office, I merely close the lid on my little glass container. I have also purchased a bottle of Lavender essential oil because I love the lavender scent. However, I enjoy this citrus scent so much that I have not yet felt the need to change.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Is your child one of those kids who can't seem to sit still for more than two minutes?
If you give him a picture to color does he speed through it, not caring what it looks like, so he can move on to something else? Do you have to follow along behind him and finish his chores because
he zipped through them so he could get that cookie you promised? Those are the signs of someone who requires instant gratification. Your child doesn't have time to focus on doing anything well, he doesn't care if he's giving it 100% effort, and he doesn't care what the results are when he's done. He just wants to complete the task, grab his reward, and move on to the next bright, shiny object.
As an adult, you know your child needs to learn the value of seeing a project through from start to finish and he needs to learn what it feels like to be proud of his work. But first you have to find a project that will hold his attention! Every kid likes to draw and who doesn't love monsters!
Draw Manga Monsters! (XTreme Art)
Recommended for Ages 7-9 yrs
Draw Manga Monsters! (XTreme Art)Chris Hart is the master of the "How To Draw" books for kids and adults who want to learn how to draw everything from flowers to animals to... well, monsters! His books are used by teachers to teach drawing in elementary school classrooms and even daycare center operators use them to teach shapes and basic drawing techniques to preschool kids. His instructions are clear and easy to understand and even if your child isn't reading yet, he'll be able to follow along with the diagrams. Draw Manga Monsters is a great book for beginners because it has step-by-step instructions, starting with the most basic, simple shapes. Your child will learn how to turn circles and square and triangles into gruesome, scary or cute monsters.
Drawing pictures is one of the best ways for you child to develop his fine motor skills - from learning how to handle a pencil to learning to gauge spacing, shape and depth. And since every kid loves monsters, you know that while they're learning they're also having fun!
Books that Teach a Child to Draw
Books that teach your child how to draw allow him to use his imagination but they also teach him a few things while he's having fun:
Accomplishment: Drawing is always fun and your child gets to use his imagination. In the end there's a sense of accomplishment when his monster actually looks like the one in the book.
Creativity: Your child will learn how to break
drawings down into simple shapes and how to use his imagination to flesh
out the monsters. This skill might seem trivial now but it forms the
basis of the problem solving skills he'll need later in life.
Eye/Hand Coordination: Following the guides in the
book while he draws his own monsters will help develop your child's
eye/hand coordination and improve his skill at recognizing spatial
relationships.
Following Instructions: Who would have thought that
something as easy as drawing monsters would teach your child how to
follow instructions? Do you know how many adults are out there who can't
pass a test because they can't follow a simple instruction like "Print
your name here"?
How to Draw 101 Monsters: Easy Step-by-step Drawing
Recommended for Ages 5 and up
How to Draw 101 Monsters: Easy Step-by-step Drawing (How to draw)Dan Green has been a rock star, a newspaper editor and a motorcycle rider, but he has also written humor books and comic strips for Horrible Histories and Horrible Science, which makes him pretty good at drawing cartoon characters. Especially monsters!
His "How To Draw 101..." books cover all kinds of fun topics - animals, monsters, manga, chibis, fairies, cars, funny people and cartoon characters.
Don't buy this book for your child! You'll get addicted!Before you know it you AND your kids will be so busy drawing monsters you'll forget all about the laundry and the housework and the TV show you watch every Tuesday night and... Yeah! You get the picture. This whole series of books is fun for anyone that enjoys drawing. Even if you can't draw!
Drawing Is Fun And Educational A lot of arts and crafts projects that your children enjoy require at least some adult supervision. The drawback is you have to show them how to use scissors or how to glue things together. Most of the time you have to read the directions first and break it down into terms your child can understand.
Drawing is different. There is no right or wrong way to draw a picture and the only equipment involved is a pencil and a piece of paper. No matter what the monster looks like when your child gets done it's going to be unique and creative because it comes from his own imagination.
Here are a Few More Favorites in the World of Monster Drawing Books Available
Review How To Draw Monsters Books for Kids written by:
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
There is nothing like a hike in the woods to find great material for nature photography. During the past month I have gone on several outings with photographer friends to capture the beautiful images of springtime in Missouri. These images were taken on two of our outings at state parks in the St. Louis metro area. The photo above was taken at Cuivre River State Park in Troy, Missouri. The second park we visited was Lone Elk Park just off Hwy 44 in the southwest portion of the region.
Preparing for Your Trip
Good preparation is important for your trip. On both of the occasions there was a chance of rain so some rain gear was added to my checklist.
Camera and back pack
Extra batteries and memory cards for the camera
Lens cloth to wipe away dust and dirt
Two lenses- one wide angle(18-70) and a longer lens (70-300)
large trash bag (to sit on if the area is muddy)
rain poncho (just in case)
lens hood
filter
tripod
Although I make sure all of these things are in my backpack, when I get to the place where we are going to shoot I leave most of the items in my car. I do this because we were going on trails of 1 mile or less and if I need something else I can go back to the car. For my first trip from the car to shoot I will put on one of my lenses and make sure to wipe it off. I then check my battery and memory card and head out to shoot. Later depending on what I'm wanting to photograph, I will come back and change lenses and/or pick up my tripod. I used to always carry my backpack and tripod with me, but I have found that to be too cumbersome and not needed for short hikes.
Photographing Wildlife
I have not done a lot of wildlife photography but on my trip to Lone Elk Park I had two photography buddies who really helped me to hone in on wildlife to photograph. Dina was great at listening for birds and pointed out the Pileated Woodpecker that I was able to capture with my long lens in the photo below. In the photo below that you will see an Elk. Our photo buddy Mac drove ahead of us through the park and would point out places where we could find Elk and Bison. I found that photographing wildlife takes a lot more patience than photographing flowers.
Photographing Plants and Flowers
I enjoy photographing flowers and foliage.
There is always something interesting to shoot in the parks. The first shot is some pink dogwood I spotted through the trees. This photo was taken in Lone Elk Park and the shot was taken out of the window of the car. I had my lens set on aperture priority f8 and was able to capture the pink as I saw it through the trees.
We were hiking down a small path in Cuivre River State park when I saw part of an old stone wall. I stopped on the path and took several shots of the wall from different directions. It is amazing the different looks you get just by walking around an area and looking at it from a different angle.
I love the way the leaves were growing over this stone wall. The sunlight filtering through the trees also gave it an interesting look.
Waterdrops and Puddles Create Interesting Photos
We were at Cuivre River right after a rainfall and there were puddles everywhere and raindrops still falling from the branches and leaves. Sometimes new photographers avoid rainy days, but I find that you can capture some of your best images on a rainy day. The first photo was looking down at the top of an old stone pillar. The pillar was about 3 feet high and a oval pool of water had collected in the top of the pillar. I stood over the pillar and focused my camera down on the puddle of water that showed a reflection of the trees above.
This next photo depicts a waterdrop on a branch. I was having trouble getting a good shot when a fellow photographer suggested I back up a bit and refocused. It took a few tries but I was finally able to get a fairly clear shot of the waterdrop with the background blurred.
Watch for Special Features to Photograph
As you are out in a park look for special features to add to your photographs. Old stone bridges like the one below make an interesting photograph. Don't forget to turn around and look at the path you've just walked down. The leading lines will also make for an interesting photo.
I couldn't resist photographing this goose that sat out right in the middle of the parking lot. He didn't move all the while I was shooting.
Gifts from my Photographs
Here are some items I made on Zazzle from my photographs. You can see other items on my Zazzle shop by clicking through either of the links below.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
An infant is abducted in broad daylight. The only witness is a gorilla. Can you imagine how a detective would feel when about to ask a judge for a warrant on the basis of the testimony of a gorilla? Of course, he wouldn't tell the judge anymore than he'd first been told himself -- that the the only witness was a twelve-year-old with the IQ of a five-year-old. As expected, the judge had the same reaction he himself had had -- he wanted to meet the witness. That's why Detective Matthew Finn had brought the video tape to show the judge if necessary.
Seventeen-year-old single unwed mother Brittany Morgan stops at a convenience store because because she's out of diapers. Her two-month old baby, Ivy Rose, is asleep in her car seat. She doesn't want to wake Ivy, so she carefully locks her car after opening the windows just far enough for the air to flow, but not far enough to reach in. She whispers through the passenger window to Ivy, 'Mama will be right back, Ivy Rose.'
Brittany notices a tall gray van parked next to her on the right, the kind with mirrored windows that prevent people from looking in. The words "Talking Hands Ranch" were painted on the side. Then she went into the store and bought a few groceries. When she got back to the car, the doors were still locked, but the baby was gone. So was the gray van, but Brittany didn't remember the van at that moment because she was still in shock. She thought some boys standing around smoking might have taken the baby as a joke but they denied it and hadn't seen anyone else with a baby. A woman called 911. Soon Detective Finn was on the scene with his crew gathering evidence. Brittany was frantic.
Inside the Van
Grace, a research professor at he University of Washington, returned to her van and to Neema, one of the gorillas in her project to whom she was teaching sign language. Unbeknownst to Grace, Neema had seen the kidnapping of the baby. She had signed to herself what was happening as it happened.
When Grace had returned, Neema signs "baby" to her, and then "car." Grace has no idea what Neema is talking about. In intervals Neema signs "Snake make baby cry." Grace thought Neema was calling her a snake, a word Neema hated. Neema continued to sign: "Baby cry, bad blue snake". But then Neema remembered she wanted a banana and the conversation took a different turn.
Later, Grace found out about the abduction, but still did not make the connection. It took her days and repeated signs from Neema before she made an anonymous call to the police. She remembered she had been at the Food Mart about that time.
The Investigation
Before Grace finally called Finn was not getting far in the investigation. He'd learned that Brittany had been in a program for unwed mothers at her high school, the Sister Mothers Trust program. They had a support website for the girls in the class called YoMama where the girls could communicate. Brittany's computer had been taken in to custody, since she was the first one the police suspected, along with the baby's father Charlie, who was the son of the County Executive. The police certainly did not want to get Travis Wakefield's name into the news over this.
So far, the police had not learned much that helped. It was only after Grace called with the anonymous tip that Finn began to make progress. Brittany, had, meanwhile, remembered seeing the van and described it to the police. By tracing Grace's call from a pay phone and tracking down the van, he was finally able to find Grace's compound and discover that his only witness was Neema. In the phone call Grace had only said her ward told her that a man with a snake bracelet took the baby to a green car. Grace had said her ward was twelve and had the mentality of a five-year-old. Finn still thought Grace was passing on the words of a mentally retarded child witness. Finn had been crushed when Grace said he could not contact Neema and then hung up.
Finn finally tracks down Grace's location just after she has received a letter from the University of Washington that the project is closing and the gorillas will be sold at auction. When Finn unexpectedly appears, Grace is crying. He still has no idea Neema is a gorilla. When Grace finally allows him to meet her, he still believes he is meeting a child. He has even brought a flower to try to win her over. When he first lays eyes on Neema, you can just imagine what went through his mind.
You'll have to read the book to see that rather humorous scene. It is the first of many interviews Grace tapes. Neema's testimony, though not presented formally in court, does help solve the case and the cases of two other missing children of mothers who were in the Sister Mothers Trust classes. I'm not going to spoil the book for you by telling you any more. I'm anxious to read the sequel. The best deal is the Kindle box set for the two books.
I would recommend this book to those interested in inter-species communication, gorillas, and police procedural mysteries. One thing I appreciated about this book in addition to the story itself was that no one got killed -- no gory scenes. The emphasis was on the police work and the human-gorilla interaction.
It is plausible. I think the author may have been influenced by the work of Dr. Francine Penny Patterson at the Gorilla Foundation. She is best known as the mentor of the famous Koko the gorilla, to whom she has been teaching American Sign Language, as part of her gorilla research. The project began in 1972 at the San Francisco Zoo. Since then it has progressed and moved to larger spaces, and finally to a large compound in Hawaii, but it appears the foundation is losing its lease and will have to raise enough money to buy the land if they are to stay there. Koko will turn 45 on July 4, 2016.
Here is some insight into the relationship between Koko and Dr. Patterson. One can easily see how Pamela Beason might see Dr. Patterson and Koko as models for Grace and Neema in The Only Witness.
In this video, you will meet Koko.
In this video you will watch a conversation between Koko and Dr. Patterson.
What do you think? Would you consider a signing gorilla like Neema a capable of being a credible witness?
For more information about Koko, try one of these. You will see more options when you click through, both in books and DVD's. Koko A Talking Gorilla is a DVD.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
I have a Father's Day gift idea to share with you today and I think you might just say it nails it. Well, if your Dad, Husband or Grandfather happens to be a bit handy around the house it will work perfectly as this year's gift. Shoot, even if he isn't handy, I think he will like it.
An engraved hammer with sentiments for Dad is unique and something that will be fun to give and I think Dad would say it is fun to receive, too.
The engraved hammer above was my most favorite pick from the options that are available. There are several options for the sentiment to be placed on this fully functional tool for his tool chest or to hang on the wall. A few options are:
Thank you for helping me build my life
We love building memories with you
Let's build more memories together (I plan to get this one for my husband from me for our anniversary)
Thank you for giving me the tools to build my life
My Dad can fix anything
See, there are some perfect sentiments for you to choose from and I'm telling you Dad is going to love the idea! If he chooses to use the hammer, he will think of you every time he picks it up. It will warm his heart and put a smile on his face. At least in our house, Dad will!
Last year for Christmas, my oldest daughter was struggling with an idea for my husband (her step-dad). She asked our little grand-daughter what she thought would be a good idea and she came up with the perfect gift. She said, "Well, Grandpa likes to fix things so I think a new toolbox would be nice. We could put our names on it so that when he opens it, he will always think of us." Well, we just thought that was the sweetest thing ....EVER! So, little McKenna was my inspiration when looking for a good Father's Day gift this year. I was looking for a tool that could be engraved and when I saw these hammers, my search was over.
So, what say you, dear readers? Is an engraved hammer for Father's Day a gift that will work for you this year?
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
