Bayard
Bayard's JournalWe have lost Rocket, the mini-doxie
A few nights ago at 18 years old.
I got him at an ASPCA function at a Calif. Petsmart when I lived out there. He was a year old then, and had been turned in by an older man who didn't feel like he could care for him properly. I remember having him in the shopping cart while he barked excitedly all through the store.
We definitely had our ups and downs between Calif and KY, but he came through like a champ. He attached himself to Mr. Bayard like velcro when we got to KY. They went everywhere together, watched TV together, and he always slept in our bed with us.
He really slowed down in the past year, and had to start wearing diapers. He went deaf and nearly blind, and was having trouble walking. He didn't want to eat lately. I thought we should put him down a few months ago. Mr. Bayard didn't want to. He buried him with one of his squeaky balls, with his squeaky cow on top.
We both catch ourselves looking and listening for him. He was a much loved little boy, and is sorely missed.
Today would have been my big sister's birthday
She would have been 74.
Both of my sisters were Type 1 diabetics from an early age. They spent a lot of time in the hospital. This sister, Ruth, had both legs amputated. Her husband divorced her, mostly because she couldn't have kids, and he got tired of dealing with all the problems.
We got to be partners in crime before I moved to Calif, but still talked often. She started my love of horses when I was very young.
I miss you, Ruth. You shine on. I'm going to go ride my horse now.
Filling out my Kentucky absentee ballot
Proposed amendment: Are you in favor of letting non-citizens, convicted felons/traitors, people in jail, and---this is the one that got me--IDIOTS AND INSANE PEOPLE, vote? And its worded as a double negative, so you have to be careful how you answer.
Now.....wouldn't that wipe out most rethuglican votes? (no KY slurs please.)
Eating Eggs Could Be the Secret to Better Memory, Study Says
Everyone’s favorite breakfast staple does more than start your morning off right.When it comes to our diet, we often hear about foods that are good for our bodies, but what about our brains? In addition to brain-healthy foods like leafy greens, fish, and dark chocolate, a recent study has shed light on yet another unexpected hero in the fight against cognitive decline: Eggs. Turns out, the versatile breakfast staple may hold the key to keeping our minds sharp as we age, influencing everything from memory to our ability to learn new things.
Study Findings
According to an August 2024 study in Nutrients, researchers found a compelling connection between egg consumption and cognitive function in older participants—particularly women. Those who enjoyed at least two to four eggs per week exhibited a slower decline in cognitive abilities over four years compared to those who avoided eggs. Frequent egg-eaters also scored higher in semantic memory and executive functioning, which translates to better memory recall, adaptability, and problem-solving skills.
Why Eggs Are Good for Brain Health
So, what makes eggs so special? For starters, they’re packed with nutrients that are crucial for brain health, including vitamins B6 and B12, folate, and choline. And, though it may be one of the least recognizable nutrients in that list, choline is actually a powerhouse for brain function. It plays a key role in producing acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that’s vital for memory and learning. The recommended daily intake for choline is around 425 mg for women and just one large egg contains about 147 mg of choline, making it one of the best dietary sources available (organ mean, certain types of mushrooms, and soybeans are also great options).1
That said, the benefits of eggs extend far beyond choline. They are also rich in carotenoids, including lutein and zeaxanthin, which play a large role in eye health. Emerging studies show these nutrients can also have a protective effect on brain cells, potentially lowering the risk of cognitive decline and slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. When it comes to aging, it’s always going to be essential to maintain a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise, mental stimulation, and social engagement are crucial components of cognitive health, but adding eggs to your plate is certainly a delicious way to give your brain a boost. So, whether you enjoy them scrambled, poached, or baked into a sweet treat (cake totally counts in our book!), know that eggs aren’t just a diet staple—they could be your brain's defense.
https://www.realsimple.com/eating-eggs-improves-brain-health-study-8719255
We have eggs every morning, courtesy of our hens.
Animal Pics That Just Don't Make Any Sense
I could write captions for most of these......
Tourists Blamed for Ruining Once-Breathtaking Yellowstone Thermal Pool
Decades of trash and debris have forever changed the spectacular blue color the pool was once known for.Morning Glory Pool, located in the Upper Geyser Basin near Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park, used to appear as the dazzling crystal-clear blue color that inspired its name. However, after decades of visitors throwing coins, trash, and other debris into it, Morning Glory now resembles many of the other prismatic thermal pools found within the park, with a deep center green bleeding into a ring of yellow. "There are some lovely quotes about its beauty and stunning blue colors, and likening it to the Morning Glory flower," Yellowstone National Park historian Alica Murphy told the Cowboy State Daily. Murphy explained that when tourists first began visiting in the 1880s, the concepts of conservancy and "leave no trace" hadn't yet existed, and people essentially treated the park's colorful thermal pools as "wishing wells." "I think many people like to throw things into pools," she continued. "Wishing wells are a time-honored tradition. Flip a coin into a wishing well and make a wish. There is something about a pool of water that gives humans a weird instinct to throw things into it."
As far as the scientific reason for the changing color, decades of throwing debris into the pool has caused the temperature of the water to physically cool down. "Temperature is a huge factor," said Mike Poland, scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. "Hotter pools tend to be a brilliant blue, and cooler pools can be more colorful since bacteria can grow there. At Morning Glory, the temperature cooled because people throwing objects in caused the conduit to become partially blocked, and the temperature went down, allowing different types of bacteria to grow."
Up until the early '90s, crews used to actually clean out the thermal pools of Yellowstone, however the process was laborious both in order to assure the safety of the park employees and ensure that the delicate balance of the thermal pools didn't experience further damage. Former Yellowstone ranger Jeff Henry, who has worked in the park for nearly 50 years, was part of the last team to clean out Morning Glory Pool in 1991. Though, he said it won't happen again. "We used a couple of fire trucks to pump down the pool's water level and shoot it into the Firehole River," Henry recalled. "A guy was hooked up to a climbing harness so that he wouldn't fall into the pool, and he was out there with a long-handled net, fishing things out of the water far down into the crater of the pool."
"We found tons, probably thousands of coins," he continued. "The main park road used to go right by Morning Glory, so that would account for some of the metal parts that looked like car parts chucked into the bottom of the pool. There were a lot of rocks that didn't belong there, and I think we found some hats that probably had blown off people's heads and landed in the pool. And they, wisely, didn't try to retrieve them."
https://www.mensjournal.com/news/tourists-ruin-morning-glory-pool-yellowstone
25 Award-Winning Nature and Wildlife Photos from the 2024 Monovisions B&W Photography Awards
The 2024 Monovisions Black & White Photography Awards have unveiled an extraordinary collection of nature and wildlife photographs, showcasing 25 award-winning images that capture the raw beauty and power of the natural world. These stunning monochrome works highlight the intricate details of wildlife in motion, serene landscapes, and dramatic moments in nature, all rendered in striking black and white.
From majestic creatures in their natural habitats to breathtaking vistas, the winning photographs are a testament to the artistry and technical skill of photographers who push the boundaries of visual storytelling. This year’s winners exemplify the emotional depth and timeless quality that black and white photography can bring to the world of nature and wildlife.
https://121clicks.com/inspirations/monovisions-nature-wildlife-photography-awards-2024
These are amazing! Enjoy.
State aquarium rescues endangered species from severe drought
State aquarium rescues endangered species from severe drought: 'Inaction could have led to the permanent extinction of this species'
After a drought in Tennessee created dangerous conditions for an endangered fish species, officials decided it was time to intervene. In August, News Channel 9 reported that the Tennessee Aquarium partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the University of Georgia's River Basin Center — with an assist from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency — to rescue 105 adult Laurel Dace from Chattanooga-area Walden Ridge and temporarily relocate them to the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute.
While removing federally endangered species like the Laurel Dace is generally illegal, officials determined that the fishes' native streams were too degraded, putting them in danger. "What really weighed heavily on us was knowing that, given how critically endangered the Laurel Dace is, inaction could have led to the permanent extinction of this species," Dr. Anna George, Tennessee Aquarium's vice president of conservation science and education, told News Channel 9, comparing the delicate situation to the care of a patient in the ICU. According to the report, stress is one of the reasons that relocation is frowned upon, with the risk of injury or human error also among the concerns. However, as Tennessee Aquarium recovery biologist Abbey Holsopple explained to News Channel 9, the drought had created dire conditions for the Laurel Dace.
"The fish in the stream can get trapped into these pools with nowhere to go. Imagine if you were at a concert and you're surrounded by people on every side of you. You're rubbing up against each other. It's hot; it's uncomfortable," Holsopple said, highlighting that the tight, practically suffocating quarters can also increase the risk of disease. Fortunately, for the Laurel Dace — one of North America's 10 most at-risk fish species — the rescue operation appears to have been a success. Only one fish died during relocation, and the others are flourishing in their temporary home. The timeline for their return to their native Walden Ridge streams is pending, as scientists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are still monitoring the waterways.
According to the National Integrated Drought Information System, Tennessee just experienced its second-driest August on record since tracking began in 1895. Conditions like these are expected to increase in the southeast United States due to higher temperatures — part of a global warming trend brought on by human activities, like the burning of dirty fuels. For now, the Laurel Dace are enjoying foster care, with the team confident it made the right decision. Researchers hope to return them to the wild as soon as possible. "As soon as we stepped out of the vans at the site, I had no doubt that what we were doing was absolutely necessary and in the best interest of the fish," UGA graduate student Christian Swartzbaugh said in a report from the aquarium. "They were clearly in a very perilous situation."
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