My Trusted Assistant, Sidekick, and Best Bud

Isn't Walter the cutest? He sits behind me on the chair (taking up most of the seat) while I am working (or playing) on my computer.

And here's some Harvey love. He is doing much better on his anti-anxiety meds. He has been very calm during grandma Chris' visit.

Happy Birthday, Ringer!

Abandoned Wild Babies Animal Rescue (AWBAR) of Lockport, IL rescues and rehabilitates small animals such as raccoons, ducks, rabbits, and squirrels. They are fundraising for medical expenses, shelter, and food. AWBAR is a member of Etsy for Animals and a great friend to wildlife. They are celebrating the fifth birthday of Ringer, their blind raccoon, who sadly lost his eyesight after being abused. Luckily, AWBAR nursed Ringer back to health and has given him a safe and loving home since he cannot be released back into the wild.

To help raise funds, AWBAR is selling t-shirts with their very adorable logo (featuring Ringer, of course!) Please buy an AWBAR t-shirt or one of the other great products in their shop.

Buy an AWBAR t-shirt!
Thanks to Amanda Smith of AWBAR for permission to use Ringer's birthday photo!

Viper Scale

Here's my Viper Scale bracelet made during a class with Marilyn Gardiner. Marilyn's kits use hefty, substantial jump rings, so the bracelet is thick and wide. It's a striking piece, and I've worn it nearly every day since I completed it.

Because I've been doing chain maille for a relatively long time and have mastered a number of weaves, I take it for granted that I can understand the patterns and make quick work of the pieces. The Viper Scale, though, was the hardest I've done since Jen's Pinds. (My bracelet does have one mistake, but I'm not telling what it is!)

Sloane Update

Sloane is still hiding in the corner of the guest room behind George's bike and eating very little if at all. The blood work came back normal, so George sent a sample out for a valley fever test. The internal specialist at his work said the best guess is that stress is causing Sloane's symptoms.

So That's Why My Dissertation Isn't Finished Yet

As reported in yesterday's Chronicle of Higher Education, an informal study in Nature magazine indicates that up to 20% of academics have taken pharmaceuticals (specifically Ritalin, Provigil, or beta blockers) to increase their brain power--memory, concentration, and focus. Maybe if I had engaged in such pursuits, my dissertation would be finished!

Instead of the dangerous and addictive path of drug use, I've decided to hire a statistical consultant to help me finish my data analysis. While not dangerous and not addictive, the consultant is certainly as expensive if not more expensive than the misused prescription drugs.

Can you hear the change in my tin cup banging?

Go Orange!

Today is ASPCA Day to celebrate the venerable organization's victories on behalf of animals. Please visit their website to take the anti-cruelty pledge and learn more about the programs of the ASPCA.

Etsy's Dog Mafia has created a treasury of fun, handmade doggie items, and the sellers are donating $1.00 to the ASPCA for each sale. More of their sellers are listed in this discussion thread.

Sick Sloane

My cat, Sloane, is not doing well. She is lethargic and not eating much. In the past, she's always run to me when I've called for her, but she is not doing that now, either. Yesterday, George took her into work for tests. An ultrasound and an X-ray revealed nothing, so we are waiting on the blood work. I still miss Emma so much, and I don't want to lose Sloane.

Phoenix Zoo Orangutans

This adorable baby is the newest addition to the family at the Phoenix Zoo. The four orangutans, three female and one male, are scheduled to get a new habitat, but money must first be raised for a night house which will be their temporary shelter during the renovations. If enough money is not raised, then the orangutans will have to go to another facility until the renovations are complete. This is not fair to them, especially to Dutchess, the oldest female (and grandma to the baby), who was one of the zoo's first inhabitants and is one of the oldest living orangutans in captivity.

Though zoos are problematic, the zoo keepers genuinely love the animals and are passionate about making their lives better. Unfortunately, because of the loss of natural habitat, hunters, poachers, famine, and civil war, many animals are facing extinction. Scientists estimate that there will be no orangutans in the wild in as little as five years. Consequently, zoos play an important role in preserving species.

Please do what you can to help. A link to the Phoenix Zoo is below, and you can make a donation there. There is also time to buy a raffle ticket to benefit the orangutans. Details are in this blog entry.

Phoenix Zoo

Weather

Earth Day Promotion Reminder

Remember to visit my jewelry shop for Earth Day specials!

Lucky Me!

Heather Alexander makes beautiful pendants and jewelry out of sea glass as well as creating children's jewelry and other items. She also has a great blog on which she ran a contest this weekend. I was the lucky winner, and I am getting my very own sea glass pendant from her shop! I'm so excited. Go visit her store and blog and show her some love for giving me love!

Twisted Green Contest

Courtney Watson has the TwIsTeD shop on Etsy. All of her very cool jewelry and accessories are made from recycled material. For Earth Day, she is running a contest: send her a story of how you are living green, and you may be selected to win a great t-shirt. More details are on her blog; link below.

If you are one of my students, you can tell her about how my scouring of the trash cans after class for recyclable materials has made you very conscious about recycling! : )

Courtney Watson Blog

Shelter Dogs Necklace

I bought a great pendant supporting animal adoption from inabit on Etsy. (Inabit has more listed in her shop.) Many of her pieces are inspired by her lab, Larry, and I love the sentiments, style, and colors in her work. (She also has prints of original collages.)

Here's what I made with the pendant I purchased (modeled with the help of Harvey):




FYI: Etsy is the site where I sell my jewelry. There are lots of fun teams and forums that help me procrastinate! This necklace is for me--not for sale! : )