Savings the Pandas in Japan

The earthquake was right in the area where giant pandas live.

Most pandas in this area were rescued, particular attention was given to the babies, all the pandas were scared. The photos were taken right after earthquake and during rescue effort care. All the pandas were released back into the wild and it was noted that all of the bears stayed together.

This is only a few of the photos taken. However, it shows how carefully the panda babies were looked after. They are so cute and cuddly. Wouldn't you like to be one of the helpers holding them in the photo?

Clutter Clean Time

We all know that Spring is the time to clean out all the clutter in your home, garage and car.

Surely this is something that should be done year round and yet we procrastinate enough during the winter months that nothing is done. Well, I can't say nothing. I can say we add to the clutter.

If we get rid of but one item a day, it will make a difference. sounds simple enough.

A rapid fire way to get rid of Stuff is to have three boxes. Write on each of them one of these words. Toss, Keep and Sell. That seems simple enough too, but this one takes a lot more time.

However, what if you have become attached to most of these things. Well, that sure makes it harder to get rid of them. One way would be to take pictures of the loved object and toss or sell the real thing.

Have a yard sale if you really must get something (money) for you objects. Anything that doesn't sell you might feel is an omen that you should get rid of it because no one seems to want it. It can't be worth what you thought it was. Of course, it might make you feel it wasn't ment to be sold and you should keep it. I have been in this situation. I have actually brought some things back in the house...thankfully, not a lot of things.

I just bring this up because I am going through clutter clean again this year. It seems to happen every Spring like clockwork. I think I am getting better at getting rid of unused and unloved junk that I have put in boxes to keep for when we move to a bigger house. This is just one of the excuses I have used. Now I am saying. I don't want to haul all this stuff to a new house.

Think about how your home would look without some of it. Wouldn't you feel relieved knowing you have donated those old clothes, dishes, draperies, ornaments and more to Goodwill. Someone will make good use of them and see them as something affordable and new for their home.

Okay, I'm off to go through some more drawers and closets. Make some room for new things that will surely turn up after you get rid of the old stuff.

I think it's time to talk about the negligence of some cat owners. We live in the country. Every Spring and summer, we are seeing more and more stray cats. More times than not, we see kittens in twos or threes running around together. There is always a couple of adult strays sitting by the bird feeders waiting for a free meal.

We help where we can and have helped two ferel cats to be adopted, another one was taken to the Humane Society but was later put down because he couldn't get along with the other cats.

We have adopted two senior cats. One was found under a bridge hungry and scared. The other was found with his dead owner in an apartment. They are finally getting along together. We give them a lot of love and attention and it has brought them to a more relaxed state where they trust us now. The pictures above are our two cats. Missy is the black one and Chance is the big American Shorthair.

There are ways to help ferel cats. If you know of some wild looking, unkempt cats in your neighborhood here is a website that can help you to understand them better.

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/feral_cats/ The Care Taker's Guide

Remember most of these cats were once someone's pet who was abandoned or as in I wrote above were taken out into the country and let go alone and not at all used to living on their own. It is so sad to think of these unloved cats cold and hungry and scared out there fighting for food and maybe being eaten themselves.


We had adopted another older cat from a neighbor that was moving. This cat braved a busy road to come to our home daily for three months before our neighbor asked us if we wanted to adopt him. We had him three years before he just didn't come home one Sunday. He was a wonderful cat. I wish now we had kept him indoors...it would have made him miserable but at least he would still be alive. It is proven that cats allowed outside live a shorter life than those living inside. Of course that makes perfect sense.

The problem: people don't have their cats fixed when they are young resulting in over population of unwanted cats.

The solution: Fix those cats before they become pregnant. Fix the males before they impregnate the females.

I hope this message is read as a reminder to the problem that not enough people think about. Please help if you can.

Today, I have read many blogs to get some ideas. I realize I will have to do my own thing but would like to make this a worth while blog for my readers to read.

I am still writing. I am trying to finally finish that book that I started many months ago.

As well, I have enrolled in a class on Horror and Dark Fantasy by The Easy Way to Write. This is a website that makes it pretty easy to write any number of things...whether it be romance, horror, e-books, copy writing and so much more from the beginning to publication. Rob Parnell even has a couple of movies out.

If you are into writing and want to make it the best it could possibly be go to:

Rob@easywaytowrite.com

His wife Robyn Opie writes books for children: She has written many many books. Go here:

http://www.robynopie.com

Soon I will let you in on some of my black and white drawings I do. Every night, I sit down and draw for about ten minutes to loosen up before I write in my journal.

Until next time. Ellen

Spiderwood Hollow Takes Over for Lyons Creations

As of March 31st, 2011, Lyons Creations shop on etsy was closed. Now the New guy takes over. Let's hope she does a better job than the old gal did.

SpiderwoodHollow was introduced early in May 2010. This is a shop specializing in unique handmade spiders and webs. Some of the webs are made of copper wire and soldered together.

Other webs are made of the copper wire, soldered together then affixed to a branch or root of driftwood found along the riverbed near to our home.

A spider made of copper wire and a glass gem of various colors is soldered to the finished web.

Check out the many varieties of webs and spiders here:

http://www.spiderwoodhollow.etsy.com

Custom orders are welcome.

Huge Sale on LyonsCreations

Until the end of May, I have marked down a majority of my product in Lyons Creations by 35%. This includes stained glass angels, candle climbers, jewelry etc. For those who purchase in the time frame May 1st to May 30th will receive a $20 free gift as well.
This is the picture of the free gift being an angel candle climber in your color choice.

Writing a Novel for Teenagers

Since my last blog, I have been studying, "Writing for Children." I have been taking a course with a lovely writer of children books Robyn Opie. She is a great teacher. I am learning more from her than I did from a Writing School where I took a course like it about four years ago.

Here is her web page:
http://www.robynopie.com/writingforchildrencourse.html

I am so involved in my writing that I find I'm neglecting other things. I try to put in two to four hours a day on my novel and the course. It is not always possible. I see the characters in my dreams which I guess is helping me plan the story and give me more ideas.

I am writing a suspense novel for kids aged 8 to 12. I am on chapter 7 of the 10 chapter book.

I really think I love writing better than making art. Here are my two Etsy shops:

http://www.lyonscreations.com
http://www.spiderwoodhollow.etsy.com