Local: Enjoyed the Maine Lavender Festival

Every year in July, the Lavender Hill Tree Farm in Berwick, Maine hosts a Lavender Festival, so we checked it out this year!  The fields were amazing to see and there were things like a sheep shearing demonstration, lavender-flavored food items, lots of vendors, and a great view of nearby Mount Agamenticus!  You'll also learn what the topographical term "monadnock" means in terms of the mountain. 

(Photo: Pausing for a picture in front of a lavender field)

HERE'S MY VIDEO SWEEP OF THE LAVENDER FIELDS!

(Video: My video sweep of one of the fields at the Lavender festival, Berwick, ME July 19, 2025. Credit: R.G.)  VIDEO LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_0YgQyKLLI

ABOUT LAVENDER HILL FARM - At Lavender Hill Farm, they grow three main crops: Christmas trees, lavender, and sheep. Their actions are guided by sustainable and regenerative principles. This keeps them focused on the real meaning of their work - to steward this land for our children and future generations. They are a small family farm  open to visitors a few times throughout the year. 

(Photo: The LavYrinth. Credit: Lavender Hill Farm)

There is also a professional, licensed massage therapist who has an office on the farm!   Sounds like something else to try: https://www.lh-farm.com/massage 

Learn more about what they do, when to visit, and more about their story by further exploring this website: https://www.lh-farm.com/ 

LABYRINTH OF LAVENDER -   "The LavYrinth” is a a triple spiral labyrinth of Lavender on a hill on the farm. The lavender maze was planted in early 2025, and it consists of a set of pathways that wind through each other, lined with lavender plants.

 

LAVENDER FLAVORED FOOD - There was Lavender Iced Tea, Lemonade and Iced Coffee. There was also Lavender flavored ice cream available. 

(Picture: A giant field of lavender at the back of the farm.) 

 

SHEEP SHEARING - The farm actively maintains and cares for sheep, so there was a sheep shearing exhibition. Those poor sheep must be sweltering in the summer before being sheared. 

The amount of wool the shearer took off one sheep while we were there, was just amazing!  

ABOUT THE FARMERS - Both James and Silas grew up on and around farms in Newmarket, NH. James comes from a family that moved to rural Newmarket to get out of the city. His grandparents bought a homestead, raised West Highland White Terriers, and this is where he and his brothers were raised in their own family home. Silas comes from a 30+ year family history of Christmas tree farming, and extended family of Vermont dairy farmers. His parents moved to Newmarket, NH and began planting Christmas trees in their yard for Choose-and-Cut operations and began Archambault Tree Farm. Silas and his siblings have many memories in tree plantations.

WHAT IS A MONADNOCK? - In order to know what Mount Agamenticus is, you need to know what a "monadnock" means. A monadnock (/məˈnædnɒk/ mə-NAD-nok) is an isolated rock hill, knob, ridge, or small mountain that rises abruptly from a gently sloping or virtually level surrounding plain.

(Photo: View from the summit of Mount Agamenticus in July from the Lavender Hill Farm! Credit: R.G.)

WHAT AND WHERE IS MOUNT AGAMENTICUS? - According to Wikipedia, Mount Agamenticus is a 692 ft (211 meter) high monadnock in the town of York, Maine. The area surrounding the summit is a park reservation which provides habitat for wildlife and a venue for recreation. The greater Agamenticus region covers nearly 30,000 acres (12,000 ha) in the southern Maine towns of Eliot, Ogunquit, South Berwick, Wells and York. Mount Agamenticus was historically a noted landmark for sailors. Mount Agamenticus is also affectionately known by older locals as "Big A," the nickname of a ski slope that once operated on its northeast flank, remnants of which can be seen both near the summit and along the trails.

VENDORS GALORE! There were a lot of vendors set up on one pathway. All were local to southern Maine or southern New Hampshire, and there was some beautiful stuff!

We bought a bunch of beautiful cards from Sheepjunkie LLC ~ commercially-spun, hand-spun and art yarns, needle felted items, notecards, dryer balls, and more! https://www.facebook.com/Sheepjunkie

And I enjoyed talking with the owner of Grey Wolf Studios LLC ~ who sells handmade jewelry, crystals, smudging items, evil eye /protection items & more! - holistic and metaphysical products. She's sensitive, and has an amazing array of things. She had smudge bundles, which I need for paranormal investigations, so I bought some. She's fascinating to talk with and you should check out her store on line. https://www.facebook.com/greywolfstudiosllc

HERE'S A FULL LIST OF LOCAL VENDORS

WITH LINKS TO THEIR WEBSITES (Click name)

Lavender Hill Farm ~ lavender inspired jellies, syrup, sachets, essential oil, room mist, dried lavender bouquets and festival merchandise! LOTS of cool stuff here!!

Kaylie Reads ~ handmade unique pressed floral bookmarks and floral art

Found Sisters Creations ~ magnetic frame art, bookmarks, greeting cards, framed paintings, canvas pieces, and more!

Brisingamen Botanicals ~ small batch tea blends

Crafty Badass Stitch ~ embroidered items, kits, accessories and notions

Wonderfully Whimsical Cakes ~ cupcakes, cake tins, sugar cookies, brownies, cake sandwiches

Lilli Elle Handmade Jewelry ~ jewelry

Rustic Roots Crafts & Cocktails ~ cocktail infusion kits, resin kitchen and barwares, natural art (primarily framed shell and floral pieces)

Tatnic Woods Pottery ~ pottery

Daily Botanicals ~ therapy rice bags, herbal eye pillows, dream pillows, boo boo bags, solid lotion, bath and body products

The Panicked Possum ~ stickers, keychains, magnets, bags, and shirts

Print3D & Paper ~ small creatures, fidget toys and other objects, as well as layered paper designs, bookmarks and cards

The Pumpkin Pouch ~ crocheted and sewn plushies, clay charms, felted items

philputneyprints ~ photography

Made by Jenn ~ pottery

whee made! ~ hand-painted laser-cut wood earrings and home decor, handmade felted wool and handmade leather goods

This & That Felting ~ felted animals and felted pictures

Naples Crafted ~ handmade jewelry, mini resin jars, homemade soaps and chapstick, miniature canvas artwork

BoHAWK Creations & King's Castle Crafters ~ handmade crafts, paintings & prints on canvas, painted bottles, signs, crochet animals

Golden Swan Sweets ~ homemade baked goods

S&E Dairy Goats LLC ~ natural goat milk soaps and skin care

Wildcrafted LLC  ~ sustainably grown and sourced crafts including floral infused oils, skin care products, and sea sponges

Berwick Flower Studio ~ floral art

Mellifera Modern ~ cyanotype art specializing in clothing and accessories including jackets, shirts, overalls, bandanas, patches & more!

New Moon ~ women’s resale boutique

Makes U Wonder ~ wool needle felted paintings, pin cushions, 3D gnomes

Beaded by Chloe ~ beaded bracelets and rings - young entrepreneur!

Pretty Nest ~ candles, small bags, scrunchies

Idiot of the Week: Botched penile tattoo left man with permanent problem

 This week's idiot took tattooing too far. He had a tattoo done on his privates, and it caused bleeding and apparently badly injured arteries causing a physical condition. BTW, apparently there are many others who have done this... First, you'd have to know you're tattoo artist very, very well. Second, what in the world was this moron thinking about getting a hot, pointed object used in that extremely sensitive place on his body. Third, how many others are going to see the tattoo? There are so many idiot questions, but here's the story.

Botched penile tattoo left man with permanent damage

Livescience: Nicoletta Lanese published May 7, 2025

The patient: A 21-year-old man in Iran

The symptoms: The patient reported that his penis had been "partially rigid" for three months.

What happened next: Upon examining the man, doctors noted that he had a tattoo along the top of the penile shaft, as well as another tattoo on the glans, or tip of the penis. The man initially told the doctors he'd gotten the tattoos several years prior, but he later said he'd gotten them just before his symptoms emerged.

The tattooist had used a handheld needle, the patient said, which is a common traditional tattooing technique. Afterward, the patient experienced bleeding and pain for a number of days. After the pain subsided, the man experienced "longer-than-usual sleep-related erections," which worsened to the point that his penis was "half-rigid" all the time.

His doctors further investigated his medical history and ran many lab tests, including brain scans to look for abnormalities and blood tests to rule out infections. Using sound waves to assess blood flow in the penis, the doctors saw "pseudoaneurysms" in the tattooed area, meaning there were places where the arteries had been injured, causing blood to pool.

The diagnosis: The man was diagnosed with "nonischemic priapism." Priapism refers to prolonged erections that occur in the absence of sexual stimulation, or that continue long after sexual stimulation has ceased.

The most common form of priapism — ischemic priapism — occurs when a blockage prevents deoxygenated blood from exiting the penis, or when certain drugs prevent that blood flow. This can quickly lead to tissue damage, permanent scarring and impotence.

In nonischemic priapism, though, blood flow is not blocked, so there's less pain and a low risk of permanent damage. This condition, also called "high-flow priapism," typically occurs when an artery in the erectile tissue is injured and allows too much blood to be continuously pumped into the penis.

The treatment: The appropriate treatment wasn't available at the facility where the patient was examined, so he was referred to another facility for a superselective embolization, a procedure that would have blocked blood flow through the injured arteries to reduce blood flow in the penis. "Predictably, the procedure was unsuccessful," the man's doctors wrote in the case report.

Following the procedure, the man continued to experience half-rigid priapism. He was disappointed with the surgery's outcome. But ultimately, the condition was painless and he maintained "moderately good" erectile function during intercourse. For those reasons, he declined further treatment and instead lives with the condition, his doctors reported.

What makes the case unique: At the time the case was published, in 2012, the doctors wrote that it was the "first case of nonischemic priapism following penile tattooing" ever described in the medical literature.

"In our case, most probably, the handheld [tattoo] needle penetrated the penis too deep," the doctors wrote. "Based on our unique case, we discourage penile tattooing."

The patient, for his part, reported having no regret over the tattoo and no depression or other psychological symptoms related to the priapism.

Heroes of the Week: Rescued 1o Horses from Barn Fire

 It appears that lightning sparked a barn fire where 18 horses were housed. Thanks to some heroes, 10 of them were saved. Here's the story from the Patriot Ledger newspaper in Quincy, Massachusetts.

(Photo: Second floor of the barn on fire. Credit: John Cox) 

Eversource worker sees fire in Walpole horse barn: What the rescue effort was like

Patriot Ledger Newspaper, July 17, 2025 

* An Eversource worker, John Cox, noticed a barn fire in Walpole and alerted the homeowners. Cox, along with the Kennedy family, rescued ten horses from the burning barn before the fire department arrived. Tragically, eight horses perished in the fire, and the cause is still under investigation. A GoFundMe page has been established to support the Kennedy family and Mor Linn Farm.

Ten horses were saved from a fire in their Walpole barn thanks in part to the quick heroic action of John Cox.

Cox, a line worker, Response Specialist Organization with Eversource, was on his way to a call in Dedham shortly after 11 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8, when he noticed a “glow” to his left, coming from Mor Linn Farm on North Street, Walpole, Mass. he said.

“I drive by the horse farm all the time; it’s really pretty property. As I got closer, I could see fire on the roofline, and I saw the silhouette of two horses. I realized there were horses in there and that the barn was on fire.”Cox, a Weymouth resident, pulled his vehicle over and called 911 while running towards the house to alert the homeowners. “I didn’t see or hear anyone, no one was around,” Cox said. “I could hear the horses. I was running to the house yelling: ‘hey, hey, hey there’s a fire.”'

As he reached the house, Cox said the homeowner came out and asked him if he had called the fire department, which Cox said he had, and together they ran towards the two-story barn. They were joined by the man’s teenage son, and then his wife, and all furiously tried to save the horses. The farm is owned by Catherine and Cormac Kennedy.

“The fire was only on the roof at that point, and there wasn’t much smoke,” Cox said. “I have no experience with horses at all. The poor things didn’t want to get out; they kept backing into the stalls. They are so big and strong. It was pretty intense in there.”

Cox said the homeowner and his son were expertly grabbing the horses, while the wife went to another section of the barn and was taking horses from there and guiding them out to a field.

Eight horses that died in the fire were believed to have been in stalls on the second floor. Ten horses were rescued. In a short amount of time, Cox said things got worse – the fire intensified, and the barn filled with smoke. “It was already below my head level,” he said. “Burning timbers were falling down.” He said the cries of the panicked horses were “terrible.”

Cox never feared the fire, but was nervous about not being able to find his way out of the barn as it was covered with smoke, and of being stomped by the horses as he tried to get them out.

The Walpole Fire Department arrived at the fire in about 10 minutes, Cox said. “They got there quick. They did a really great job saving the other structures. There was no saving the barn, though. It went up so fast.” Cox remained on the scene for a couple of hours. He had not been injured, but the firefighters treated him for smoke inhalation. “I was coughing for about 20 minutes,” he said. “But I had no problems breathing.”

Cox believes a lightning strike caused the barn fire. "There was a lot of lightning that night," he said. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

“We are incredibly proud of John Cox, whose quick thinking and courageous actions helped save 10 horses,” said Mike Hayhurst, Vice President of Electric System Operations at Eversource. “His selflessness reflects the spirit of community service we strive for at Eversource every day.” Hayhurst also spoke of how heartbroken they were, despite Cox’s best efforts, by the tragic loss at Mor Linn Farm.

Book of the Week: Great Thriller! The Athena Project by Brad Thor

My dad loved reading paperbacks of fictional thrillers, espionage, counterterrorism. Before he passed in 2008, he would share them with me. I've read many of them. One author in particular that I enjoy is Brad Thor. In fact, when my dad passed, he hadn't yet finished one of Brad Thor's books, so I read the rest of it for my dad, knowing he could "hear" me read it. So, I keep reading Brad Thor books. The latest book is about 4 badass women in a counterterrorism unit called "The Athena Project." The book has a lot of detail, a lot of military inferences and takes the reader around the world to figure out the deadly mystery behind monoliths created by Nazi Germany as something to use in war.

It's the 10th in the "Scot Harvath" series, although doesn't appear in it much.  It's fascinating, strange, and action-packed! 5 of 5 stars!

Book Overview

From #1 New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Brad Thor, four deadly women from the top-secret Athena Project join Delta Force as they undertake one of the nation's most dangerous assignments.The world's most elite counterterrorism unit has just taken its game to an entirely new level. And not a moment too soon... From behind the rows of razor wire, a new breed of counterterrorism operator has emerged. Just as skilled, just as fearsome, and just as deadly as their colleagues, Delta Force's newest members have only one thing setting them apart--their gender. Part of a top-secret, all-female program codenamed The Athena Project, four of Delta's best and brightest women are about to undertake one of the nation's deadliest assignments.

When a terrorist attack in Rome kills more than twenty Americans, Athena Team members Gretchen Casey, Julie Ericsson, Megan Rhodes, and Alex Cooper are tasked with hunting down the Venetian arms dealer responsible for providing the explosives. But there is more to the story than anyone knows. In the jungles of South America, a young US intelligence officer has made a grisly discovery. Surrounded by monoliths covered with Runic symbols, one of America's greatest fears appears to have come true. Simultaneously in Colorado, a foreign spy is close to penetrating the mysterious secret the US government has hidden beneath Denver International Airport. As Casey, Ericsson, Rhodes, and Cooper close in on their target, they will soon learn that another attack--one of unimaginable proportions--has already been set in motion, and the greatest threat they face may be the secrets kept by their own government.

Thank you for your kindness about Tyler's passing

Thank you to all who expressed condolences, sympathy & support on the passing of our child, Tyler the Dachshund  on July 29th. It means so much to us. 

The social media messages, the cards, the emails, and tributes to him have been amazing and heartwarming. We know you all got to know him through "Tyler Tuesdays" on social media. 

He was a fun-loving, always tail-wagging 21 pound ball of love. Truly the happiest dog we've ever known.

The house feels more empty and my heart aches, as I know yours do for your pets who passed.

Hug your pets for us and again,

Thank you for your kindness and love. 

Tyler Passed: Part 4: We Suspect Hemangiosarcoma (PLUS: 2 videos of Tyler)

When I posted Tyler's traumatic decline on my books' social media pages, 2 pet parents wrote and shared that their dogs experienced the same 5 day rapid decline to the point where they were either rendered immoble, or lost bodily function from a fast moving cancer in dogs. They both told me their dogs experienced Hemangiosarcoma. So, today's blog is to make you aware of it, so you can be prepared should you ever receive the horrible news of this cancer type.   

(Tyler on July 16th, behaving as if there was nothing wrong- he passed on July 29th)

 

Hemangiosarcoma (HSA) in dogs is a highly malignant cancer of the blood vessels, often affecting the spleen or heart, and can also occur on the skin. It is known for its aggressive nature, rapid spread (metastasis), and poor prognosis, with most dogs succumbing within a year despite treatment. 

VIDEO: Tyler's cancer begins affecting his walk

On July 24th, 2025, Tyler began having trouble walking. we learned an internal tumor had been pressing on his spine, and rendered him paralyzed by the next day. Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc5IXJhAK8M&feature=youtu.be

********************************

• Key Aspects of Canine Hemangiosarcoma: Nature: HSA is a highly aggressive, malignant cancer arising from cells lining blood vessels.
• Common Locations: While it can occur in various locations, it most commonly affects the spleen, heart, and skin.
• Symptoms: Symptoms can be vague, ranging from non-specific signs of illness to sudden collapse due to internal bleeding from a ruptured tumor. Other symptoms include lethargy, loss of appetite, abdominal distension, pale gums, and difficulty breathing.
• Spread: HSA tends to spread quickly to other parts of the body, including the lungs and liver.
• Breeds Predisposed: Certain breeds, such as Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, and Boxers, are predisposed to HSA.
• Diagnosis: Diagnosis often relies on imaging (X-rays, ultrasound) and biopsy to confirm the presence and nature of the tumor.
• Treatment: Treatment typically involves surgery to remove or reduce the primary tumor, followed by chemotherapy. However, survival times with current treatments are often limited, with most dogs not surviving beyond a year.
• Prognosis: The prognosis is generally poor, with median survival times ranging from 90 days with surgery alone to 180 days with surgery and chemotherapy.
• Research: Research is ongoing to better understand the tumor's biology and develop new treatment strategies, including immunotherapy and antiangiogenic therapies. Additional Information:
• Skin HSA: .Cutaneous HSA, or HSA that originates in the skin, may be linked to sun exposure, especially in dogs with light skin and thin coats.
• Cardiac HSA: . Dogs with cardiac HSA may exhibit signs of heart failure, such as fluid buildup around the heart and difficulty breathing. Splenic HSA: .
• Splenic HSA is often associated with sudden collapse and internal bleeding due to a ruptured tumor.

 In summary, hemangiosarcoma is a serious cancer in dogs with a poor prognosis. 

VIDEO: Dash and Tyler take a ride on Tyler's last day, July 29, 2025. *Tyler, our 14 year old Dachshund, was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in five organs on July 25th 2025. that night a tumor near his spine paralyzed his back legs. On his last day with us July 29th 2025, we took him for a wagon ride with his brother Dash (front)*************************

Early detection and aggressive treatment, including surgery and chemotherapy, are crucial, but research is ongoing to find more effective therapies and improve survival rates.  

 

3D Printed Homes could solve housing crisis- Trump Eliminated Funding for it.

Maine was looking at this option - 3D printing for homes - as a possible way of solving the state's homeless crisis. The state needs 80,000+ units, and doesn't have the labor force to build that many homes. Manufacturing looked to be a promising alternative, until the Trump eliminated funding for it. The researchers on this project  lost their jobs and helping combat Maine's chance at affordable housing.

(3D Printed Home created by the University of Maine ASCC)

UMaine center forced to lay off some workers due to funding  

 

WGME-TV. May 25, 2025 

ORONO, Maine — The University of Maine's Advanced Structures and Composites Center has announced the layoff of nine employees, citing federal funding cuts by the Trump administration as the cause. The affected employees were notified on Monday, with the layoffs set to take effect on June 6.

The center, known for its engineering innovations such as 3D printed houses made from Maine wood waste, as well as technology for national defense and civil infrastructure, has been reliant on federal funding since the 1990s.

ABOUT THE First 100% bio-based 3D-printed home  at the University of Maine

Can you imagine what it would be like to live in a home that was printed on a printer? The first ever bio based 3D home printed right here in Maine on the world's largest 3D printer back in 2022.

On Nov. 21, 2022, the University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) unveiled BioHome3D, the first 3D-printed house made entirely with bio-based materials. BioHome3D was developed with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hub and Spoke program between the UMaine and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Partners included MaineHousing and the Maine Technology Institute.

The 600-square-foot prototype features 3D-printed floors, walls and roof of wood fibers and bio-resins. The house is fully recyclable and highly insulated with 100% wood insulation and customizable R-values. Construction waste was nearly eliminated due to the precision of the printing process.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/Poo0-S20irk?si=R-TEJpRNBT0YwPTL

(Video: Matt Pouliot from Pouliot Real Estate takes you on a tour of the first ever bio based 3D home, which is still undergoing research on the campus of the University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC). ) 

This is the first 3D-printed house made entirely with bio-based materials. BioHome3D was developed with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hub and Spoke program between the UMaine and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Partners included MaineHousing and the Maine Technology Institute. 

Here's a more detailed look at BioHome3D:

• Materials:

  The home is constructed using wood fibers and bio-based resins, sourced locally, which reduces dependence on a potentially constrained supply chain. 
• Process:

  The home was printed in four modules, then moved to the site and assembled. 
• Purpose:

  It's serving as a testbed to see how the bioderived materials perform over time, including their ability to withstand Maine's harsh winter conditions. 
• Research:

  Researchers are using data collected from sensors installed in the home to improve future designs and address potential issues. 
• Future:

  The success of BioHome3D could pave the way for mass-producing affordable and sustainable housing. 

We are excited to unveil more videos for you to take a closer look into what is happening at the ASCC and the University of Maine.

DISCOVERY: New species of elasmosaur (Prehistoric sea monster) Identified!

Dinosaurs have always fascinated me since I was a kid, when I received my first set of fossils. They were little fossils of sea life, like anemonies and trilobites (and I wish I knew what happened to them!)... so I've been reading books on dinosaurs since I was about 7 or so. When new species are discovered, it's exciting to me, and today's blog is about one prehistoric sea monster that was recently discovered.

(Image: Two individuals of Traskasaura sandrae hunt the ammonite Pachydiscus in the northern Pacific during the Late Cretaceous. Traskasaura sandrae, named today in the Journal of Systematic Paleontology, was declared the Provincial Fossil of British Columbia in 2023. (Image credit: Robert O. Clark)

 Giant 85 million-year-old mystery sea monster fossil finally identified 

 LIVE SCIENCE, Jess Thomson May 28, 2025

A brand new species of elasmosaur named Traskasaura sandrae has been identified from three specimens found on Vancouver Island.

Scientists have finally solved the mystery behind the identity of a prehistoric sea monster.

The marine reptile, which could grow to around 39 feet (12 meters) long and had heavy teeth for crushing prey, was previously known from several sets of fossils unearthed over the past two decades.

One key fossil was a complete but badly-preserved adult skeleton from about 85 million years ago, discovered in 1988 on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It was thought to come from a group of long-necked reptiles known as plesiosaurs. However, until now, scientists weren't sure if it belonged to a new species or a previously discovered one.

"The identity of the animal that left the fossils has remained a mystery," F. Robin O'Keefe, a professor of anatomy at Marshall University in West Virginia, said in a statement. "Our new research published today finally solves this mystery."

In a new study published May 22 in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, O'Keefe and colleagues formally classified all the fossils as Traskasaura sandrae. 

This species is so different from other marine reptiles that researchers assigned it to a brand new genus, Traskasaura, within a subgroup of plesiosaurs called elasmosaurs.

Elasmosaurs, like other plesiosaurs, lived throughout the Cretaceous period (145 to 66 million years ago) alongside the dinosaurs and shared the oceans with other marine reptiles, including ichthyosaurs and mosasaurs.

Plesiosaurs were characterized by having small heads on long necks, broad bodies and four large, paddle-like limbs. The mythical Loch Ness Monster is usually depicted as a plesiosaur. They are thought to have breathed air and probably had to surface regularly, akin to modern-day marine mammals.

The first T. sandrae specimen was unearthed in 1988 in the Haslam Formation on Vancouver Island, was formally described by scientists in 2002 and dates back to between 86 and 83 million years ago. Other fossils found in the same region include a right humerus and an "excellently preserved" juvenile skeleton.

Tyler Passed: Part 3: What I Hoped For: Signs from Tyler -With Help from Others

When our Dachshund, Tyler passed, I was afraid that my intense grief would block signs from him. But he had help from one of our other dogs in spirit to break through that grief and give comforting signs. Tyler passed on the exact day of a special birthday that told me who was waiting for him in spirit. Then there was a number sign to confirm it. Later that week, Tyler would make himself known through a toy, a ride and a couch.

CERTAIN DAY - Our Weimaraner, Buzz Wyatt was born, July 29, 2004. Buzz was the one who passed tragically in 2005, but awakened my abilities to how pets communicate from spirit. It was not a coincidence that Tyler's passing was on Buzz's birthday. It was Buzz letting me know that he was there to greet Tyler in spirit. That was confirmed later.

(Photo: A screen shot of the exact time I picked up my phone on July 30th. A sign from Buzz) 

NUMBER SIGN - Buzz passed on February 22, 2004. I realized that whenever I saw "222" that was a sign that Buzz was around.  The day after Tyler passed, we were driving and I was in the passenger seat. In the middle of a conversation, I happened to reach for my phone (for some reason). When I turned it on, "2:22" was the exact time. That was another confirmation from Buzz that Tyler was safe with him in spirit. 

(Photo: Buzz the Weimaraner- Photo from Feb. 2005-  let us know that he was there to greet Tyler when he crossed over in spirit).

THE TOY CONFIRMATION -  On July 30, one of our neighbors gave us a gift basket with a candle in it, and what happened to be Tyler's Favorite toys- 2 "Loofa dogs." They had no way of knowing that as they've only met Tyler outside and we've never talked about his toys. Tyler must have influenced them to pick out that specific toy (out of the thousands), so we would know he's okay. 

(Photo: Tyler on July 29, sitting in bed with his two most favorite toys- a yellow and red stuffed "Loofa dog.")

MAKING NOISES AT THE DRIVE THRU -     On July 31 at 3pm, we drove to one of Tyler's (and our) favorite places- the Dunkin' Donuts drive through. Dash and Cody were  both sitting with us in the front seat and there was nothing in the back seat. But, while we were waiting at the window, I heard a rustling in the backseat of the pickup truck. I looked back there and of course there was nothing there. I know it was Tyler. The only unusual thing is that he didn't bark (because it takes a lot of energy from spirit to do that).   

(Photo: A picture from May 2025 of Tyler napping on a couch with his favorite Loofa dog toys).

SHADOW OUT OF THE CORNER OF MY EYE - At 7pm on July 31, I was sitting in the living room on the couch reading, while Dash was snoozing in his bed at my feet. Tyler usually lay next to me on the couch. Out of the corner of my eye, I thought Tyler was there and I actually reached over to find an empty couch.

MORE NUMBERS FROM OUR SPIRIT DOGS-  I've associated 444 with our dog Sprite (for some reason), and it showed up on August 1st, as well as Dolly's 1111, and Buzz's 222 that same day. (Franklin is 333, but he didn't make an appearance that day). All of these are numbers that our dogs have been sending me whenever they are around.  Seeing three of them in one day tells me that Tyler has joined the pack.

Idiot of the Week: Conservative Father Moved Family to Russia to Escape "Woke" America... Now in Russian Army

This week's idiot is a Texas father who moved his family to Russia to get away from "woke people and drag queens." He said that he also believes in the Russian cause to take over Ukraine.  He joined the Russian army to get citizenship for his family, and he may be going to war for them.  There is ZERO sympathy for the bigot. In fact, more of bigot idiots should join that family. 

Conservative dad moved to Russia to get his kids away from 'woke' — now he's in their military

Ariel Messman-Rucker,Advocate, July 22 2025

A conservative Texas family moved to Russia to escape “woke” culture and get their children away from queer people, but they may be regretting their choice after the father went into the Russian military.

In a YouTube video titled, “Why we moved to Russia,” wife DeAnna Huffman admitted that the family packed up their lives and moved to a conservative foreign country because they wanted to “be away from the things that we feel are disrupting our children’s lives” while showing pictures of drag queens, Pride parades, headlines about children’s TV shows with queer characters, and LGBTQ+ kid’s books.

But according to The Telegraph, the family’s attempt to escape “woke” America, has landed father Derek Huffman in the Russian military.

The 46-year-old father of three daughters moved his family to Istra, 25 miles outside of Moscow, through Russia’s “shared values” visa program that is meant to attract foreigners who “embrace Russian values” and want to escape “the harmful effects of Western neoliberal policies.”

Once in Russia, Derek Huffman agreed to join the military, despite having no experience as a soldier, his wife said in one of their videos.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/kmxIcfyMatE?si=Q-iW5-0CFhOFnU-c

“Unfortunately, he feels like he’s being thrown to the wolves right now, and he’s kind of having to lean on faith, and that’s what we’re all doing,” DeAnna Huffman admitted in one of her vlogs for the family’s YouTube channel “Huffman Time.”

Although Derek Huffman posted a short video telling his family he missed them while wearing army fatigues on Father’s Day, there have been no new messages from him since then. But The Telegraph reports that on July 20, there was a link posted on their channel to a Telegram group requesting help from the U.S. government, though the message was subsequently deleted, and it is unclear who created it.

"We are asking the United States government to save this family,” read the single message in the group, along with a photo of DeAnna Huffman and her daughters crying.

While running away to Russia because of your anti-LGBTQ+ views seems like an extreme choice, the Huffmans are not the first Christian family to do so. Last year, Arend and Anneesa Feenstra packed up their 10 children and headed to Russia to escape “left-wing ideology,” and the “trans” and “LGBTQ+” community in Canada, whom they didn’t want near their children.

The Huffmans left the United States for very similar reasons, telling Russia Today that they were sick of the public education system’s acceptance of LGBTQ+ people. “The final straw was when we found out my daughter Sophia learnt about lesbians from a girl in her class. She didn’t fully understand it, but for us, that was enough to realize something had to change,” Derek Huffman said.

 In a video update while he was in military training, DeAnna Huffman admitted to struggling without her husband and talked openly about Derek losing weight because of the military food and training three times per day. “I tell you, I’ve been pushed beyond my limits, further than any time in my whole life. The Russian army is no joke,” Derek Huffman said. 

 This is a change of tune from an earlier video where he talked about risking his life to “earn a place here in Russia.” “The point of this act for me is to earn a place here in Russia. If I risk myself for our new country, no one will say that I am not a part of it. Unlike migrants in America who come there just like that, do not assimilate, and at the same time want free handouts,” said Derek, who according to his wife has a limited grasp on the Russian language.

Hero of the Week: Millie, a Maine State Police bloodhound helps rescue 5-year-old with autism

 Last week's hero was a Chihuahua that helped a rescue of his dad from a glacier. This week's hero is Millie, another dog who found a missing child.  

(Photo: Millie the Bloodhound. Credit: Maine State Police) 

Millie, a Maine State Police bloodhound helps rescue 5-year-old with autism

May 17, 2025 WMTW-TV

PALERMO, Maine — A 10-month-old Maine State Police bloodhound is being hailed as a hero once again after locating a missing 5-year-old girl with autism Friday evening in the woods in Palermo.

Officials said the child had gone missing from her home on Rowe Road, Palermo, Maine, prompting a search by law enforcement and wildlife officials. Maine State Police bloodhound Millie, alongside her handler, Corporal Eric Sucy, and Maine Game Warden Julia Horst, tracked a scent trail approximately one-third of a mile from the girl’s home.

The girl was found around 5:30 p.m. in a cedar swamp, standing waist-deep in water but uninjured, officials said.

This isn’t Millie’s first successful rescue. Back in April, the bloodhound helped bring a missing 77-year-old woman from Rockport safely home.

Tyler Passed: Part 2: Giving him the BEST Day

 In yesterday's blog, you read about how quickly cancer took our 14 1/2 year old black and tan, lovable, always-happy, protective, playful, toy-loving dachshund, Tyler.  When we woke up on Tuesday, July 29th, we knew it would be Tyler's last day, because cancer metasticized in 5 of his organs (we learned just 5 days before). So, we planned the BEST day for him.

(Photos: A collage of Tyler's favorite activities that we did on his last day, July 29, 2025)

He came to us as a rescue dog at around 1 year old, heartworm positive. We fostered him, healed him, adopted him, and he bonded with our Weimararner, Dolly, who passed in Oct 2020. Since then, Tyler was our Rock.

FAVORITE TOYS - We made sure his favorite toys were with him all day. He loved "loofa stuffed dogs" - especially a red one and yellow one. Now, Tom has the yellow one and I have the red one. 

(Photo: Tyler with his 2 most favorite toys: yellow and read "loofa dog toys")

FRESH COOKED HAMBURGER, CHICKEN and ROAST BEEF 

On Monday morning, July 28th, when we knew Tyler was failing, I cooked hamburger and chicken and got sliced roast beef in addition to the sliced turkey we always have. Tyler enjoyed his meals and he still had an appetite.

MORNING WALK / RIDE! -  We bought a wagon 2 years ago before we moved from Maryland, because Dash was getting old (he's 17 now) and doesn't walk entire distances. Since Tyler was paralyzed in his back legs, we took him for a "ride" during our walk, and Dash joined him a couple of times. 

POSING FOR WAGON PICS - Tom and I stopped to get a wagon picture with Tyler.

SITTING OUTSIDE IN THE GRASS- One of Tyler, Dash and Cody's favorite things to do is to sit outside in the backyard on the grass and watch nature. They sometimes like to look into our backyard forest, where squirrels race and birds fly in and out. So, even though it was hot, we found shade and sat outside for an hour in the morning. 

DASH AND TYLER ALWAYS TOGETHER- Dash, our 17 year old Chihuahua/Dachshund Mix, immediately bonded with Tyler 7 years ago when he came to us. They do everything together. Since Dash's vision has been failing over the last couple of years, he's always followed Tyler. He would sleep next to Tyler, and they woud eat together, do agility together and walk together. On July 29th, he walked over to Tyler who was laying on the grass (unable to move), and lay down next to him.

A DUNKIN DONUT DRIVE THROUGH LUNCH AND BARK! - Tyler loved to bark whenever we would use the drive through at Dunkin. There was never a time he didn't bark on a trip there. So, we put him on a bed, covered with a pee pad, and he and Dash sat in the back seat as we drove through Dunkin. Tyler happily barked. 

(Photo: Tyler and Dash teamed up to stick their tongues out for the picture)

A WATERFALL PARK - One of the places we like to take lunch is to a nearby park in South Berwick, with a view of a waterfall and a river. The boys love that place, so we took them there. I took Tyler out of the truck and carried him around, showing him the river and waterfall. 

(Left to right: Dash, Tyler, Cody) 

BACKYARD FOREST WALK!! - Because we have a good amount of forest in our backyard, we made 4 parallel pathways through it, to walk the dogs. The boys all enjoy walking through the forest and sniffing out all the amazing scents. 

So, we pulled out the wagon again, and took Tyler on a wagon ride through the forest (since his back legs were paralyzed).   We took Tyler and Dash out of the wagon for a Menagerie group photo with Cody, too.  

(Photo: The Wagonmasters: Dash in front, Tyler in back)

THE TREAT GAME! One of Tyler and Dash's favorite dog games is "find the treat" in a
special dog-shag rug (thanks to their aunt Cindy). So, we dropped treats in the rug and Tyler, Dash and Cody did some treat hunting! 

INDOOR COOL DOWN- We cooled Tyler off with wet washcloths, put him in a diaper and let him nap. He crashed. His breathing became shallow and it was hard to wake him. We thought he may actually pass, but in 2 hours he snapped out of it. His heart was beating like crazy during that time, too. 

DINNER TIME - More freshly cooked hamburger for dinner!   

THREE TREAT TIME - Usually at 7:30pm in our house, we have 3 treat time, where the kids line up for three different favorite treats. We had to do it early (6pm) because Tyler was going to the vet to cross over at 7:20pm. - They all loved their treats. 

SAT ON THE GRASS OUTSIDE- After dinner and three treat time, we went back outside and sat on the grass for an hour. Tyler lay on his side, and seemed exhausted. He continued to dribble pee uncontrollably, so it was good he was outside. 

DRIVING TO THE VET'S OFFICE- DASH'S LOVE- Tyler and Dash always sit in the backseats of our pickup truck (with the seats down and a thick blanket covering it). Tom was driving (with Cody), and when I looked back, Tyler had rested his face on Dash's outstretched legs for the entire ride.

(Photo: Tyler rests his head on Dash's feet in the back seat of the truck going to the vet).

(Photo: Tyler on the afternoon of July 29, 2025, sitting on a pee pad in his bed with his 2 most favorite toys.) 

FINAL GOOD BYE - Damn, this was hard. It was brutal. We cried hard. Tom and I sat on a bench in a room at the vet. Cody was on Tom's lap. Dash sat in between Tom and I. 

  Tyler laid across his favorite blanket on my lap, and his head RESTED on Dash's back. Dash never moved. Dr. Matt gave the injection and Tyler passed pretty quickly, all the while Dash never moved, allowing Tyler to continue resting his head. I was so very touched by Dash's love for his brother. 

  Tyler will be "coming home" in a cedar box with his ashes sometime next week, we assume. In the meantime, we'll give extra love to Dash and Cody, and we each have one of Tyler's favorite toys on our beds. 

   Tyler always wagged his tail. Every day. We both always said he was the happiest dog we've ever known. Now he is with Dolly, Franklin, Sprite and Buzz on the other side. We miss him so much.