Happy Halloween from Our House to Yours - and Our Award "Weiners!"

Our Halloween Family Picture

Happy Halloween!  This year Dolly, Franklin and Tyler dressed up as Sharks and little Dash dressed up as a scuba diver!  We attended a dog-Halloween event at Patuxent Gardens in Bowie, MD and brought all four kids in their outfits. You'll read about support from 3 friends, our winners, other dog costumes, and Tyler and Dash Prepare before the event!

GREAT SUPPORT BY FRIENDS 

L to R: Tom & Franklin, Kelly&Dash, RJ & Dolly, JJ & Tyler

Fortunately, our friends RJ, JJ and Kelly met us there and helped us wrangle the kids for photos and the costume contest! They not only helped with the kids, but cheered them on, too!


CONTEST WEINERS, UH, WINNERS! 

Dolly accepts the award for the pack

  All four were entered in the "most creative" contest and they won!  

We all posed for pictures with the big weiners, uh, winners. 
  

Dash the Diver!

Dolly poses for a pic

Dolly accepted the award for the entire school of sharks and the brave little diver, Dash! 

Dolly checks out her award

Striking another pose

Franklin the Shark in the Flowers

Tyler the Shark

Tyler doing a Shark - Attack!

DASH AND TYLER PREPARE FOR  THE EVENT- Dash and Tyler decided it would be helpful to ensure their costumes were on properly.  fun to pose for pictures, so here are some funny pics of them!   


NEXT: OTHER DOG COSTUMES AT THE EVENT

Dash tells Tyler to show his real teeth!

Remember in August 2018? : Senate Republicans vote down extra funds for election security

For those going to the polls in November, and who may have short-term memories... on August 2, 2018, the Baltimore Sun reported this: 

Senate Republicans vote down extra funds for election security

WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans voted down a bid Wednesday to direct an extra $250 million toward election security in advance of the 2018 midterms, despite heightened warnings from intelligence officials that foreign governments will try to interfere in the contests.

The 50-47 vote fell far short of the needed 60 votes to include the $250 million amendment, proposed by Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., in an appropriations package. Only one Republican senator — Sen. Bob Corker, Tenn., who frequently prioritizes deficit concerns — voted for the additional funds.

Three Republicans did not vote: Sens. Richard Burr, N.C., who chairs the intelligence committee, Jeff Flake, Ariz., who is in Africa, and John McCain, Ariz., who is in Arizona receiving treatment for brain cancer.

Source: http://digitaledition.baltimoresun.com/html5/desktop/production/default.aspx?pubid=99644e1a-52da-4fe3-8f78-a84e4fe4d386 

Remember in May? Virginia Democrats Got a Medicaid Expansion!

THIS is what voting for the Democratic party does- After six years, Virginia Democrats got a health coverage expansion past the GOP majority!
WHAT HAPPENED: On May 30, 2018 Virginia lawmakers pushed through Medicaid expansion for the state following years of resistance from the GOP — a move that should extend health coverage to some 400,000 low-income Virginians!

Virginia Adopts Medicaid Expansion, Promising Health Coverage To Almost 400,000

ARTICLE SOURCE:

Medicaid expansion is coming to Virginia after the state’s legislature approved a bill Wednesday that would provide health coverage to as many as 400,000 low-income residents of the Old Dominion.

The majority-GOP General Assembly passed the measure with the votes of all Democratic legislators along with a minority of Republican lawmakers, bringing to a close the six-year debate over whether Virginia should accept funding from the Affordable Care Act to expand Medicaid. Gov. Ralph Northam (D), who campaigned in favor of Medicaid expansion last year, will sign the legislation.

“This budget is the culmination of five years of effort to bring our taxpayer dollars home from Washington and expand Medicaid. As a doctor, I’m so proud of the significant step we’ve taken together to help Virginians get quality, affordable care,” Northam said in a news release.

Once the bill becomes law, Virginia will join 32 states and the District of Columbia in expanding Medicaid. Almost 400,000 Virginians may qualify for health coverage as a result, according to the state’s Department of Medical Assistance Services. Benefits will become available at the beginning of next year, Northam told WTOP-FM Wednesday.

The Affordable Care Act calls for the program’s benefits to be available to anyone earning up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level, or about $16,000 for a single person. Under the law, the federal government provides at least 90 percent of the funding for the expansion.

The Virginia legislation covers the state’s share of the expenses via an assessment on hospitals. The bill also reduces state spending on other programs that provide health care to uninsured people.

“It’s a historic day. Senate Democrats have been fighting for Medicaid expansion for years,” state Senate Minority Leader Richard Saslaw (D) said at a news conference following Senate passage of the legislation Wednesday (May 30, 2018).

As written, the Affordable Care Act would have expanded Medicaid nationwide in 2014. But the Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that states could refuse to enact it. To date, 18 states ― including Virginia ― had not implemented the policy, leaving 4.5 million people uninsured, according to an analysis published by the Urban Institute this month.

Three other states may join Virginia by accepting Medicaid expansion this year. Activists in Idaho and Utah gathered enough signatures from residents to place the question on the ballot for voters to decide this November, and a campaign to do the same in Nebraska is underway. Maine voters approved a similar measure last November, but Gov. Paul LePage (R) has thus far refused to implement it.

Virginia legislators had been at an impasse over the Medicaid expansion since the Supreme Court ruling. Former Gov. Robert McDonnell (R) opposed it, while former Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) supported it but was unable to persuade lawmakers to go along.

The political dynamics changed when Democrats made significant gains in last year’s House of Delegates elections. Although Republicans retain majorities in both chambers of the General Assembly, the election results left them with just a one-vote margin in the House, the same they had in the Senate.

“Elections matter. Elections have consequences,” Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax (D) said at the Senate news conference. The entire Virginia House of Delegates and state Senate are up for election in 2019.

Although Democrats are poised to succeed in their quest to expand health coverage through Medicaid in Virginia, there is a notable trade-off. The Medicaid expansion legislation also imposes work requirements on some enrollees, which is likely to result in fewer people gaining and keeping Medicaid benefits. President Donald Trump’s administration announced this year that it would permit work requirements for the program for the first time in history.

Book Review; FEAR by Bob Woodward

I recently read Bob Woodward's hardcover "Fear" about the current White House and administration and it was aptly named. It's an inside look at what has happened up through the summer of 2018 and it's quite disconcerting. There's a lot of mistrust between everyone in the WH, and you'll read about the strained relationships, firings, how he refuses to admit mistakes, especially with women- and how the President doesn't listen to economists, scientists, budget experts, etc. Below ar3 3 STANDOUTS... - Rob

A STANDOUT ABOUT HIS RELATIONS WITH WOMEN 
  On page  175, Woodward wrote Trump's advice to a friend about women he bullied: "Never show fear. You've got to deny, deny, deny  and push back on these women. If you admit anything and any culpability, then you're dead."

ENJOYMENT IN ATTACKING REPORTERS - An earlier blog cited instances of his supporters attacking and even killing some reporters because of his rhetoric. - On Page 271, Woodward writes that the President was going to a rally  and said "I think I'm going to spend the first 10 minutes just attacking the media."

SCARY STUFF - There are instances you 'll in the book where people around him had to remove documents or wipe out tweets that could have incited a war.

In short, this is a reality check for those who voted for a "non-politician" and the chaos that vote has become.

Part 4:NH Animal Rescue Trip/ Animal Rescue League of NH Event!

Sign for ARLNH

In this final blog of the New Hampshire Animal Rescue benefit weekend, on Oct 21 my friend Bill and I visited the Animal Rescue League of NH in Bedford, New Hampshire (near Manchester) and I gave a talk about how pets communicate from the afterlife. It was emotional and amazing. There were lots of hugs, tears, laughter, healing and wonderful experiences shared.

the rescue

The lecture was called "Pets and the Afterlife" based on my 2 books of the same name, and everyone wanted to hear more so my presentation went 90 minutes instead of 60 minutes . There were also many great questions. It was so wonderful to meet everyone and support the rescue, too.

  Dr. Bill is a Medical Psychologist who is writing a chapter for my next book, Pets and the Afterlife 3. So, he accompanied me on the trip to get a good idea about how people reacted and what they needed to heal.  

Dr. Bill says hello to a Shelter cat!

WHERE is the rescue?  ARLNH is located at 545 Route 101 in Bedford, NH 03110
WEBSITE:  https://www.rescueleague.org/ 

 Marianne and Charlotte organized the event and gave me and my friend Dr. Bill a great tour.

 ARLNH is operated entirely on donations and needs your support.  They also need volunteers to help manage the pets they have.   They frequently hold events, to check their website for them. I urge you to visit their great facility, and support them!

an inside look at a room in the shelter

 

Part 3: NH Animal Rescue Trip / A Quaint Inn, Great Food and Ghost (and what he did to my camera)

After doing the lecture at the Lakes Region Humane Society (LRHS) in Ossipee, New Hampshire, we stayed in a wonderful family-owned inn called the Wakefield Inn.
  In this blog you'll read about the Inn, and the ghost I encountered... and what he did to my camera when I took his picture! 

   After the LRHS event, we met Mary from the rescue, and several members of her family, for an amazingly delicious dinner at the Inn. Truly worth going to for dinner and breakfast!
 The Wakefield Inn and  Restaurant, originally built in 1804, is nestled in the picturesque Village of Wakefield Corner, and is on the United States National Register of Historic Places.
  Whether you want to stay or go to dinner, you can learn more here: https://www.wakefieldinn.com/

Bill at the Wakefield Inn

 SO WHO IS THE GHOST? - Since I'm sensitive to ghosts and spirits, I sensed a male ghost on the second floor when I walked in. He was sitting in a chair near the front room (which was not a guest room). 
  I checked in with Tom (who was home and 500 miles away) and he was able to confirm what I sensed- A man in a long coat, hat, bearded, 40s. 

The beautiful view across from the Inn

  When I went back into the lounge room to take a photo of the chair where I sensed him  the photo came out
entirely black. Apparently, he didn't want his
picture taken!
   Regardless, he likes to sit there, so he won't trouble any guests.

NEXT: The Next Rescue Talk!

The photo  I took of the room where a ghost was sitting

Part 2: NH Animal Rescue Trip/ Exploring Concord, NH

Bill and Rob at the NH State House

Over the weekend of Oct. 20-21 I (Rob) flew to New Hampshire to give 2 lectures about my two Pets and the Afterlife books, as fundraisers. My friend Bill accompanied me as he is writing a chapter in the next Pets book about coping with loss. Since we had a couple of hours after flying in, we walked around Concord, NH and here's what we found...the State House, Clock Tower and Law Enforcement memorial... you'll read about them here....

Capital Dome at Sunset

STATE HOUSE - The New Hampshire State House, located in Concord at 107 North Main Street, is the state capitol building of New Hampshire. The capitol houses the New Hampshire General Court, Governor, and Executive Council. It was all lit up at night- as you can see in the picture.

 The current statehouse was designed in 1814, and paid for by the city of Concord. In 1816, local Quakers sold the lot where their meetinghouse was to the state of New Hampshire and the building was built between 1816 and 1819 by architect Stuart Park.

The Clock Tower

THE CLOCK TOWER- This piece of Concord history was all lit up at night. The E. Howard Co. of Boston built the clock, and its steel bell was cast in Sheffield, England. It weighed a ton. On July 26, 1873, the clock was installed at the top of the four-story Board of Trade building at the northeastern corner of School and North Main Streets. Its bell first tolled in 1874, recording the hours and serving as a landmark of downtown Concord. After World War II, the bell of history tolled for Concord’s bright and vibrant downtown.

Bill at the Law Enforcement Memorial

For the full story: http://concordhistoricalsociety.org/the-clock-tower/

THE NH LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL- In front of the State House was a magnificent granite memorial with a metallic flame in the middle of it, surrounded by beautiful, multicolored mums. Inside the walls of the memorial are the names of the police officers who died in the line of duty.

Names of fallen officers on the memorial

  The mission of the memorial and the related foundation is to identify, research, record and honor each fallen NH law enforcement officer.
    The memorial's website contains related events and the Individual story of each NH law enforcement officer who gave his life in an effort to protect and serve the community. For more information: http://newhampshirelawenforcementmemorial.com/


NEXT: The Quaint Lodgings, Great Food and a Ghost

Part 1: Rob's NH Animal Rescue Fundraising Talks: Lakes Region Humane Society

Lakes Region Humane Soceity sign

On Oct 20  I (Rob) visited the Lakes Region Humane Society (LRHS)  in Ossipee, New Hampshire with my friend Bill and I gave a lecture about "Pets and the Afterlife" based on my 2 books of the same name. Mary Lenzen and staff welcomed us and gave us a great tour of the facilities. 

The presentation was held upstairs in the Multipurpose Room at the Lakes Region Humane Society, 11 Old Rt. 28, Ossipee, NH. The room was full of people who wanted to understand how their pets communicate from the

One of the dogs available for adoption

afterlife. Many had their own experiences and shared their stories, too. There were also many great questions.  It was so wonderful to meet everyone and support the rescue, too.  
LRHS is operated entirely on donations and needs your support. You can visit them at  LRHS.net  and can reach them by phone at 603-539-1077. They also need volunteers to help manage the pets they have. There is a vet tech on site, too.  They frequently hold events, to check their website for them.

The LRHS facility

I urge you to visit their great facility, and support them! 

Dash's Day Out: Dash Gets Microchipped!

Dash waiting in line to get his chip with Tom

On Saturday, October 13, our city offered reduced cost microchipping for dogs and cats and since we only adopted Dash about 5 weeks ago, we hadn't had the chance to get him microchipped (like our other three kids), so we took advantage of it. Anyone who has a pet and cares about them should have this done- because it puts your name and address on a chip should the pet get loose.Dash was a trooper unlike a previous dog and cat...

Dash getting microchipped

WACKY PATIENTS - A man brought a feral cat in a pet carrier to have the cat injected with a rabies shot (the event also had low cost rabies shots). When the vet took the cat out of the crate she went berserk!   Screeching! Screaming!  Clawing! Two guys had to hold the cat down!
  Next was a miniature pinscher puppy who kept snapping at the vet, trying to nip him.
  Dash just stood on the table and let the vet gently inject the microchip. Such a good boy!
 The vet was relieved!
 

the outdoor microchipping and rabies shot event

WHY MICROCHIP YOUR PET? If all pet parents had their pets microchipped, they would never need to worry if their pet got loose from their yard or ran away during a thunderstorm. Microchipping is cheap and a tiny microchip is injected in the back of a pet's neck. The chip contains a number and data like your name, address, email address and phone number. You can also manage your pet's information on-line (the person administering the chip can tell you where) to update info. The online profiles also have options to upload the pet's photo.

FROM A METEOROLOGIST & DOG RESCUER'S PERSPECTIVE - As a meteorologist and a dog rescuer, I know that hundreds, even thousands of pets are lost annually when a hurricane or severe storm strikes and pets get loose without collars and identification. Microchips help reunite animals with their pet parents. ALL  shelters and rescues search for microchips when an animal is found.

microchip scanner reveals pet information

WHAT IS A MICROCHIP?
A microchip is a small, electronic chip enclosed in a glass cylinder that is about the same size as a grain of rice. The microchip itself does not have a battery—it is activated by a scanner that is passed over the area, and the radiowaves put out by the scanner activate the chip. The chip transmits the identification number to the scanner, which displays the number on the screen. The microchip itself is also called a transponder.

ON-LINE DATABASES:

www.petmicrochiplookup.org/ Will tell you to whom a pet belongs-
Enter the microchip ID below and click "Search". Enter only the 9, 10 or 15 character microchip number, with no punctuation or spaces.

Idiot of the Week: Administration to Deny Visas to Same-Sex Partners of Diplomats, U.N. Officials

Another week, Another idiot of the week, but this one isn't about a specific Person- it's about a group of people who did something hateful, Specifically Just to be hateful.  There's no "sliver lining" in this mean-spirited act.
   This time: Trump  Administration to Deny Visas to Same-Sex Partners of Diplomats, U.N. Officials. Sigh.  HOW does this help anyone? How does hatred and exclusion help?

Trump Administration to Deny Visas to Same-Sex Partners of Diplomats

New policy will insist Gay Couples be married

—even if they're from countries that criminalize gay marriage.

Oct. 2, 2018 Foreignpolicy.com
https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/10/01/trump-administration-to-deny-visas-to-same-sex-partners-of-diplomats-un-officials-gay-lgbt/

The Trump administration on Monday (Oct. 1, 2018) began denying visas to same-sex domestic partners of foreign diplomats and United Nations employees, and requiring those already in the United States to get married by the end of the year or leave the country.

The U.S. Mission to the U.N. portrayed the decision—which foreign diplomats fear will increase hardships for same-sex couples in countries that don’t recognize same-sex marriage—as an effort to bring its international visa practices in line with current U.S. policy. In light of the landmark 2015 Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage, the U.S. extends diplomatic visas only to married spouses of U.S. diplomats.

“Same-sex spouses of U.S. diplomats now enjoy the same rights and benefits as opposite-sex spouses,” the U.S. mission wrote in a July 12 note to U.N.-based delegations. “Consistent with [State] Department policy, partners accompanying members of permanent missions or seeking to join the same must generally be married in order to be eligible” for a diplomatic visa.

But critics says the new policy will impose undue hardships on foreign couples from countries that criminalize same-sex marriages.

Samantha Power, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, denounced the new policy on Twitter as “needlessly cruel & bigoted.”

“State Dept. will no longer let same-sex domestic partners of UN employees get visas unless they are married,” she tweeted, noting that “only 12% of UN member states allow same-sex marriage.”

In July, the U.S. mission sent out diplomatic notes to the United Nations and representatives for foreign diplomatic missions explaining the new policy, which reversed a 2009 decision by then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to grant visas to domestic partners of U.S. and foreign diplomats. The contents of the diplomatic note were first reported in August by the Washington Blade. The 2009 policy, however, did not allow a heterosexual domestic partner of a U.S. or foreign diplomat to enter the country on a diplomatic visa.

The new policy —which enters into force Monday—requires that foreign domestic partners of diplomats and U.N. officials posted in the United States must show the State Department proof of marriage by Dec. 31, or leave the country within 30 days. As of today, domestic partners of diplomats and U.N. officials based abroad will need to show they are married in order to enter the country on a diplomatic visa. The latest policy change, the United States explained in the note, was aimed at ensuring all couples were treated equally.

“The Department of State will not issue a G-4 visa for same-sex domestic partners,” the U.N. human resources chief explained in a note distributed to staff last month. “As of 1 October 2018, same-sex domestic partners … seeking to join newly arrived U.N. officials must provide proof of marriage to eligible for a G-4 visa or to seek a change in such status.”

There are currently at least 10 U.N. employees in the United States who would need to get married by the New Year to have their partners’ visas extended.

Gary's Baltimore Trip Part 6: Little Italy and Korean Memorial

Gary enjoys Gelato

In this final blog about our friend Gary's whirlwind visit to Baltimore, we'll take you to two highlights: the Little Italy neighborhood and the Korean War Memorial.

LITTLE ITALY -This charming, cozy neighborhood located in the heart of downtown Baltimore is an important cultural and ethnic icon for the city and is filled with Italian restaurants, and Vaccaro's Italian Bakery Cafe- a MUST for all visitors for the best desserts ever!

You know where you are!

  Gary enjoyed some Gelato while I enjoyed Vaccaro's Chocolate Hazelnut cake. Tom had the will power to resist!  
   It's a small part of Baltimore, but safe and everything smells great! 
In the summertime they have Italian street festivals, and every Tuesday night they show Italian-themed movies on a wall of a building and everyone brings their folding chairs to watch! 
  Little Italy even has a website!  www.littleitalymd.org/

Gary at Korean Memorial

THE KOREAN WAR MEMORIAL - is located in Canton Waterfront Park, 2999 Boston St, Baltimore, MD 21224. The Maryland Korean War Memorial was dedicated May 27, 1990. It is a circular stone memorial with a map of North and South Korea on the ground, surrounded by a 2 foot cement, rounded wall. Part of the wall has the history of the war, and part has all of the names of the Marylanders who lost their lives in battle.

Inscription on the memorial

This CONCLUDES Gary's Whirlwind Baltimore Trip! Hope you've also enjoyed some
of Baltimore's highlights!

The memorial has a huge stone map

Gary's Baltimore Trip Part 5: Fort McHenry, Flag, Ghosts, and Star Spangled Banner

Gary and a re-enactor soldier of the War of 1812

This is Part 5 of a Baltimore tour! As I mentioned in yesterday's blog our friend Gary visited and we toured him around Baltimore. In today's blog, we'll take you to Fort McHenry and tell you about how the Star Spangled Banner was written.

WHAT IS FORT MC HENRY?
Fort McHenry is a historical American coastal pentagonal bastion fort located in the Locust Point neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland. It is best known for its role in the War of 1812, when it successfully defended Baltimore Harbor from an attack by the British navy from the Chesapeake Bay on September 13–14, 1814.

FAST FACT: It's also the inspiration and birthplace of the Star Spangled Banner! 

MANAGED BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE - The fort was made a national park in 1925; on August 11, 1939, it was redesignated a "National Monument and Historic Shrine," the only such doubly designated place in the United States.

YES, THERE'S A GHOST OR TWO - Here's a LINK to the Video about 2 GHOSTS I encountered years ago at the fort
https://rob-tom-dolly-franklin.blogspot.com/2013/05/mary-anns-visit-part-3-fort-mc-henry.html

Fort McHenry

ORIGIN OF THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER- On September 14, 1814, U.S. soldiers at Baltimore's Fort McHenry raised a huge American flag to celebrate a crucial victory over British forces during the War of 1812. The sight of those “broad stripes and bright stars” inspired Francis Scott Key to write a song that eventually became the United States national anthem.

Location of the Fort in Baltimore

   On that date, from a ship in Baltimore Harbor, 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key penned a poem which is later set to music and in 1931 becomes America's national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The poem, originally titled “The Defence of Fort McHenry,” was written after Key witnessed the Maryland fort being bombarded by the British during the War of 1812.

LEARN ABOUT THE ORIGINAL FLAG, NOW IN THE SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM, WASHINGTON, DC: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-story-behind-the-star-spangled-banner-149220970/


WHY FLY 4 DIFFERENT FLAGS?  Different sized flags are flown at the fort all depending on weather conditions.

 
WHAT'S A RAMPART?  A Rampart is the wall of a fort. That word is in the "Star Spangled Banner" song.  


NEXT: LITTLE ITALY AND THE KOREAN MEMORIAL

4 Different Flags Fly, depending on conditions