Defense Department Launches Real Warriors Campaign

http://www.health.mil/Press/Release.aspx?ID=713
Thursday, May 21, 2009
By Jim Garamone | American Forces Press Service


Josh Hopper looks like he would win battles against an NFL lineman.

The Marine sergeant obviously is a body builder. His shoulders are broad, and his arms stretch the fabric of his uniform.

The sergeant looks like a winner, but there was a battle he couldn't win without help—that against post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Now, Hopper is fighting another battle: to get service members with PTSD to reach out and get help, as he did.

Hopper is part of the Defense Department's new "Real Warriors" campaign.

"Real Warriors is a program aimed at wiping out the stigma associated with getting mental health care in the military," said Army Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Loree Sutton. "We want people to seek help the same way they would if they had a physical wound." Sutton is a psychiatrist who heads the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury.

The Real Warriors campaign centers on the stories of warriors who admitted they needed help and now are pursuing successful military careers.

Hopper is one of those warriors. The sergeant served three tours in Iraq in 2003, 2005 and 2006. He is married and has two children, and he's assigned to Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station, N.C. The intelligence specialist received the Purple Heart Medal after a roadside-bomb strike in Anbar province and participated in numerous fire fights. The accumulated stresses of Hopper's time in Iraq led to post-traumatic stress disorder.

"When I first got back, I was on that 'welcome home' high," Hopper said in a recent interview. But after that, he found that he was having problems sleeping, and he was concentrating on the negative aspects of his deployments.

"My big thing was outbursts and mood swings," he said. "I had a bad, bad temper that didn't take much to get me there. I used alcohol as a way to comfort everything, and that was big-time out of the norm for me."

He tried to hide the symptoms, but those closest to him knew. "My wife, parents, in-laws, they all knew I was having problems," Hopper said. He was having trouble relating to his family, and it also affected his work.

He was receiving an award for his service in Iraq from his battalion commander when the symptoms burst into the open.

"When I received the award, I replayed what happened that day," he said. "I sort of got into another world. I started shaking, got the cold sweats – everything. That's when my commander sat me down and offered help."

Asking for help went against Hopper's preconceived notions of what a warrior would do. "You are supposed to be the tough guy or the tough gal," Hopper said. "You say to yourself, 'I signed up to do this. I can't need help.'"

The toughest part was swallowing his pride. "I went [to Iraq], I did it, and when I came back, it was bothering me," he said. "Saying I need help was the toughest thing."

He first went for treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here. But specialists there realized quickly that he needed more intensive care.

"The place that really changed my life was at the Martinsburg, W.V., [Veterans Affairs] Hospital," Hopper said. "I was lucky enough to get the help I needed there."

The center at Martinsburg tailored his treatment. He lived with Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan vets. "We bonded pretty quickly," he said. "Here were people – especially the Vietnam vets – who knew what we were going through."

There were group sessions and one-on-one sessions with specialists. "I did a complete 180 there," Hopper said. "When I got back [to Lejeune], everybody noticed the difference."

When he returned to North Carolina, Hopper's unit was deployed to Iraq, so he went temporarily to a new unit. "They all knew where I had been, but everyone was great to me," he said. "They didn't tiptoe around me as if I were some crazy guy. They treated me like any other new Marine to the unit."

Hopper was on the tarmac to welcome his friends back from Iraq. "I thanked the commander for all he had done for me," he said. "I told him, 'I know I'm just a sergeant and you're a lieutenant colonel, but if there is anything I can do to repay you for what you did for me and my family, I'll do it.'

"And he told me, 'There are a lot of people who are coming back from these wars that are going to be in the same shoes you were, and you'll recognize what they are going through. All I ask is that you pay it forward. If you can help one person, you've paid me back,'" the sergeant recalled.

Hopper said his participation in the Real Warrior campaign is one way to fulfill that duty. "If someone sees a big guy like me swallow his pride and get help," he said, "then why can't they do it?"

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It's about time.

The link above is for the press release.
Here's the link to their website:
"Real stories of strength and hope, along with other useful news and information, come to life through this collection of multimedia resources."

http://www.realwarriors.net/

XOXO
Me

Sighs of Gratitude.

 

Home.
From back by the woods.
Picture taken 5/14/09 when Casey and I drove back there.

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Good Morning All;
Waking up today is my first sigh of gratitude. hehehe
I think I have a little bitty blood clot in my right leg, in the calf. Mom would get these too, they would go away on their own. Never the less, when I'd noticed the size difference, I did take 2 aspirin before I went to bed.

I suspect many of you will be off and celebrating in various ways this weekend. Please take care, and be safe always. (For the rest of us with no immediate plans to go anywhere, we'll just have a little bit of fun on here)!

When I went outside yesterday morning, I saw this little girl back by the woods by the six acres. I apologize for it being out of focus- I just couldn't get it right.
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I had hoped that maybe a fawn or two might have followed but no such luck.

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I might have done a few things that made me cuss (and sigh) a few times yesterday.

First came scrubbing my tub...
While I can handle a bit of rust and mag build up, there comes a time that this all bothers me too... So I sprayed it out and tried to scrub it.
Fearing quickly that I would be found dead, fully clothed and with my face in my wet tub, I decided to do it the lazy ladys way.
I swished it with toilet bowl cleaner.
It is clean and sanitary now. Just a few specks of rust leftover. No big deal that. And yes, it works beautifully in a pinch!
BUT... Know too, that I have an old cast iron tub- Not sure you can use that stuff on the new tubs- (I wouldn't try it).
Oh yeah, I scrubbed the toilet too. hehehe

I still have to replace the caulking in the bathroom. It isn't leaking or anything, only dirty looking. That will keep for a time yet.
I know, "Put up and shut up. Anne."

I tried my hand at mowing the lawn. First to inflate the front tire that always loses air pressure if I am not on it every (other) day or so. I was very happy that I had bought that air compressor a few months back. Still, I had to get down on all fours to do this too. But it got done, so the end justifies the means. It also justifies the cuss~words (and the final sigh of gratitude that I didn't die doing this either).

Then to fill the gas tank.
Thinking (positively) ahead last weekend, I had sent Casey and Jenny Mella to the gas station to fill the 5~gallon gas jug. Too bad I didn't have them fill the tank on the rider as well. But hey, I got that done too!
Stand still, take a deep breath, bend, lift, and pour. (I didn't know I could hold my breath that long either).
I was impressed.
(Probably quite blue in the face, but impressed none~the~less).

Know too that all the while, Punk did not leave my side. Sweet sweet dog...

I still had to crawl onto the rider. yikes. Picture that if you will...
(Nah, don't). hehehe
Darn fine thing I don't weigh more than I do because I believe I would have yanked the steering wheel off the darn machine as I held my breath and threw myself over the seat.
Pushing the "st00pid" clutch in was a nasty experience in and of itself. (Yeah, I'd held my breath again)...
Exhale. Just to be able to throw in another sigh of gratitude as that little motor quickly came to life.
Not so for the blades as I flipped the switch for them. They squeaked and whined before they engaged. Having had traumatic experiences in the past of needing to change out the bearings for a mower deck and losing DNA doing so, I thought I had better grease it up good.
I saw my cousin scooting back by the woods, taking the grandkids for rides on their 4~wheeler... And drove up to their place knowing there is no way I can get my shed door up right now to even get to my grease gun.
Wimp that I am, he even greased the deck for me. Thank you Jim.

By this time, the clouds had begun rolling in, just no rain yet. I mowed what my back would allow.

It rained almost all afternoon- Just enough, on and off, to get everything watered, and wet. But we need it so I won't complain.
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Yes, I already know that my lawn looks very sh*tty.
Know that I will never again wonder why some peoples lawns look like this either.

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Know that I took these pictures as dusk was coming on full force.
I shall try to do a bit more mowing today, as I really suffered less than I'd expected later in the day.

Crazy from being so grounded of late, Punk and I decided to take a walk. To the woods.
I MADE IT! (Again I remain impressed by that success as well).
My own priorities being what they are I didn't care if I died out there! hehehe

Punk took her little squeak ball.   ...I took Casey's cane.

We got way back by the woods before we heard this thundering through the woods- As it was getting quite dark at that point, it was hard to see what was making those noises.

• Something running. (And fast).
  
• Twigs breaking.
• Sticks crunching.

Growling and pointing, and with saintly patience, Punk wanted to 'get it' -yet she remained by me.

I do not know what made those noises. Maybe it was a turkey, (and maybe I am glad I don't know). But we headed back home.
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We stopped by the east side of the garden.
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The lilacs pilfered from Kelli's last year are beginning to bloom!
And smell SO wonderful!

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I could have been blind as we rounded the NW corner of the house, and I would have known exactly where I was.
See, even more pleasing to my little nose is the scent of the orange blossoms- Also just now beginning to open.
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Wish I could hold my breath, and hold that scent forever!

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Casey's tulips still trying to look impressive, and covered yet by the raindrops that had fallen.
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And then to see that I had dug up one of the chive plants for transplanting, and not finished cleaning out that spot.

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Part of that plant was transplanted
over to Casey and Greg's a few weeks ago already.
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So that was my Thursday- I have much catching up to do on your own blogs, and will try to do so after I get out and walk a bit more.

Love to all.
Be safe this weekend. And do include a few sighs of gratitude of your own for our military, past and present.

XOXO
Me

free hit counters

Posted to my Y! 360, Friday May 22, 2009 - 09:24am (CDT)

48 Tons of Ground Beef Products Recall (E. coli) HEALTH RISK: HIGH

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_022_2009_Release/index.asp
Nationwide recall.
Think about how "lucky" you may be... (I rest my case).
Then please either check your packages before you grill/cook; (or buy lots and lots of toilet paper).

XOXO
Me

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

Illinois Firm Recalls Ground Beef Products Due To Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination
Recall Release CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-022-2009 HEALTH RISK: HIGH

Each product bears the establishment number "EST. 5712" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The (2-1), (3-1), (4-1), (5-1) and (6-1) markings refer to the number of portions per one-pound.

These ground beef products were produced on March 10, 2009, and were distributed to various consignees nationwide.


WASHINGTON, May 21, 2009 - Valley Meats LLC, a Coal Valley, Ill., establishment is recalling approximately 95,898 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.


The products subject to recall include: [View Labels, PDF Only, 1.7mb]

3S Brand Products:

* 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN 3/S 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each package bears the identifying case code "95554."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 60 (6-1) "KEEP FROZEN 3/S 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each package bears the identifying case code "95556."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN 3/S CHOPPED BEEF SIRLOIN STEAK BURGER." Each package bears the identifying case code "95573."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN 3/S CHOPPED BEEF SIRLOIN STEAK BURGER." Each package bears the identifying case code "95574."


Grillmaster Brand Products:

* 10-pound cases containing a total of 100 (10-1) "KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95588."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) "KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95500."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95502."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." The cases can be identified by the case codes "95504" and "95505."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 50 (5-1) "KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95508."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 60 (6-1) "KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER 100% GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95509."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN GRILL MASTER BEEF PATTIE." Each case can be identified by the case code "95512."


J & B Brand Products:

* 10.5 pound cases containing a total of 28, 6-ounce "KEEP FROZEN BEEF HOAGIE PATTIE." Each package bears the identifying case code "51706."
* 10.5 pound cases containing a total of 14, 12-ounce "KEEP FROZEN BEEF DINNER PATTIE." Each package bears the identifying case code "51312."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN TENDERKNIT BEEF STEAK CHOPPED AND FORMED." Each package bears the identifying case code "11028."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "TENDERKNIT BEEF STEAK CHOPPED AND FORMED." Each package bears the identifying case code "11024."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 10 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN TENDERKNIT VEAL LUNCHEON CHOPPED AND FORMED." Each package bears the identifying case code "13014."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN SEASONED GROUND BEEF PATTIE." Each package bears the identifying case code "11384BR."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 packages (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN BEEF STEAK BURGER." Each package bears the identifying case code "J1004."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN FLAVOR BURST BEEF PATTIE." Each package bears the identifying case code "51803."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN FLAVOR BURST BEEF PATTIE." Each package bears the identifying case code "51804."


Klub Brand Products:

* 10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) "KEEP FROZEN KLUB GROUND BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "95565."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN KLUB GROUND BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "95567."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN KLUB GROUND BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "95568."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) "KEEP FROZEN KLUB HOMESTYLE GROUND BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "95583."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN KLUB HOMESTYLE GROUND BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "95584."


Thick 'N Savory Brand Products:

* 10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) "KEEP FROZEN THICK 'N SAVORY SEASONED BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95579."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN THICK 'N SAVORY SEASONED BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95580."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN THICK 'N SAVORY SEASONED BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "95581."


Ultimate Brand Products:

* 10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) "KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "1012CL."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "1013CL."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK." Each case can be identified by the case code "1014CL."


Products with No Specified Name Brand:

* 10-pound cases containing a total of 20 (2-1) "KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK." Each case bears the case code "50123."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK." Each case bears the case code "50125."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN ULTIMATE BURGER CHOPPED BEEF STEAK." Each case bears the case code "50127."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 30 (3-1) "KEEP FROZEN PURE BEEF PATTIE HEARTY HOMESTYLE." Each case bears the case code "3253."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 40 (4-1) "KEEP FROZEN PURE BEEF PATTIE HEARTY HOMESTYLE." Each case bears the case code "3254."
* 10-pound cases containing a total of 50 (5-1) "KEEP FROZEN PURE BEEF PATTIE HEARTY HOMESTYLE." Each case bears the case code "3255."
* 24.75-pound cases containing a total of 144 "KEEP RERIGERATED GROUND BEEF PATTY." Each case can be identified by the case code "8218."
* 20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) "KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF." Each package bears the identifying case code "8020EC."
* 40-pound cases containing a total of 8 (8 X 5) "KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF." Each package bears the identifying case code "8020VP."
* 20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) "KEEP REFRIGERATED GROUND BEEF." Each package bears the identifying case code "8515."
* 20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) "KEEP FROZEN GROUND BEEF." Each package bears the identifying case code "8020ECF."
* 20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) "KEEP FROZEN GROUND BEEF." Each package bears the identifying case code "10201."
* 20-pound cases containing a total of 4 (4 X 5) "KEEP FROZEN GROUND MEAT." Each package bears the identifying case code "10301."


The problem was discovered through an epidemiological investigation of illnesses. On May 13, 2009, FSIS was informed by the Ohio Department of Health of a cluster of E. coli O157:H7 infections. Illnesses have been reported in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

Media and consumers questions regarding the recall should be directed to the company at 309-799-7341.

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.


PREPARING GROUND BEEF FOR SAFE CONSUMPTION

USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline
1-888-MPHOTLINE or visit
www.fsis.usda.gov

Wash hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat and poultry. Wash cutting boards, dishes and utensils with hot soapy water. Immediately clean spills.

Keep raw meat, fish and poultry away from other food that will not be cooked. Use separate cutting boards for raw meat, poultry and egg products and cooked foods.

Consumers should only eat ground beef or ground beef patties that have been cooked to a safe internal temperature of 160° F.

Color is NOT a reliable indicator that ground beef or ground beef patties have been cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7.

The only way to be sure ground beef is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use a thermometer to measure the internal temperature.

Refrigerate raw meat and poultry within two hours after purchase or one hour if temperatures exceed 90° F. Refrigerate cooked meat and poultry within two hours after cooking.

Recall of Limited Range of Dry Cat Food Products

http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/nutro05_09.html
Good Morning!
I am not sure how important zinc and potassium levels are, but here is the heads~up for anyone with a cat.

XOXO
Me


Contact:
Monica Barrett
Nutro Products, Inc.
(615) 628-5387
monica.barrett@effem.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Franklin, Tennessee (May 21, 2009) -- Today, Nutro Products announced a voluntary recall of select varieties of NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Dry Cat Foods and NUTRO® MAX® Cat Dry Foods with “Best If Used By Dates” between May 12, 2010 and August 22, 2010. The cat food is being voluntarily recalled in the United States and ten additional countries. This recall is due to incorrect levels of zinc and potassium in our finished product resulting from a production error by a US-based premix supplier.

Two mineral premixes were affected. One premix contained excessive levels of zinc and under-supplemented potassium. The second premix under-supplemented potassium. Both zinc and potassium are essential nutrients for cats and are added as nutritional supplements to NUTRO® dry cat food.

This issue was identified during an audit of our documentation from the supplier. An extensive review confirmed that only these two premixes were affected. This recall does not affect any NUTRO® dog food products, wet dog or cat food, or dog and cat treats.

Affected product was distributed to retail customers in all 50 states, as well as to customers in Canada, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Israel. We are working with all of our distributors and retail customers, in both the US and internationally, to ensure that the recalled products are not on store shelves. These products should not be sold or distributed further.

Consumers who have purchased affected product should immediately discontinue feeding the product to their cats, and switch to another product with a balanced nutritional profile. While we have received no consumer complaints related to this issue, cat owners should monitor their cat for symptoms, including a reduction in appetite or refusal of food, weight loss, vomiting or diarrhea. If your cat is experiencing health issues or is pregnant, please contact your veterinarian.

Consumers who have purchased product affected by this voluntary recall should return it to their retailer for a full refund or exchange for another NUTRO® dry cat food product. Cat owners who have questions about the recall should call 1-800-833-5330 between the hours 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM CST, or visit www.nutroproducts.com.

Recalled Pet Food

The varieties of NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Dry Cat Foods and NUTRO® MAX® Cat Dry Foods listed below with “Best If Used By Dates” between May 12, 2010 and August 22, 2010 are affected by this voluntary recall.

For the Complete Nutro Products Recall List please go to the above link.

Things Are Not Always What They Seem

 

Sputty, protesting the windows being open all night.
I did not tuck the poor thing in either,
I don't have to, he does this all by himself.

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Good Evening;
Like a wee baby, I seem to have my days and nights all mixed up.
I awoke at 10~ish last night, and stayed up. I did nap for 2 hours this afternoon, so perhaps I can get this day/night thing back to 'normal'. hehehe (I hate using that word because I never know what 'n0rmal' is supposed to be to begin with).
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Punk, followed by a few orbs,
as we played on the back lawn at about 3AM
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I left all my windows open last night in the hopes that maybe I could keep it cooler inside today. I closed them about 6 this morning as the temperatures began to rise. I believe our high here was 84 or 85. Talk about a shock! Tomorrow is to be decent though- and again they have promised a bit of rain.

Hard to believe we need it, especially when the disk is 4" deep in mud in some parts of the field. This postpones planting these 20 acres 'til when?
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Casey came out today, and after a bit of walking around in search of new blooms, she went straight to work.

First the blooms...
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Then the work she did...
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Say what you will, I say it's a darn fine thing that she has had her little surgeries and is once again capable of doing her fair share.
All kidding aside, this was an irresistible photo op.

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The crab apple tree is in bloom also. And after the trimming it had a year and a half ago, methinks it looks like some pink and purple two~headed troll.

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My own old crab tree seemingly pales in comparison to what Miss Micki has written on Baby Mariahs Caring Bridge Site CLICK FOR HER SITE
"The crab apple trees next to Mariah’s grave in the cemetery have bloomed and they are just gorgeous! I tried to take a picture but pictures really don’t capture the beauty of it at all. The flowers are pink and there’s just enough shade to have a picnic underneath. We purchased the tree next to Mariah’s grave so that we can hang anything on it we wish to. There will eventually be a plaque underneath it that will represent the Klein Family."
*Micki, if you stop by to read this, please know that I read your blogs. I have updated my info on Caring Bridge a while back and it worked for a time... Now I keep trying to comment and it won't work. As always, I do send my heart & love to your whole family.
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I also took this picture from my bedroom window- Peeking through the yews are the tulips that I had waited ever so long for. They are now almost wilted and done for yet another year.
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Wednesday today, and I brought the garbage dumpster out just before sunrise.

(I also collected my mail that had been waiting for me since Saturday).
sigh... Somebody MUST have stolen that Publisher ClearingHouse Check.
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Do you see the quarter moon peeking through the blossoms?
Centered. Almost. About an inch or so down.

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I went out to the pumphouse and dragged Punks little pool out. I tried to fill it, but the water leaked out.

(Will have to fix it with my Gorilla Tape when I find the leak).

She had enough water in there to get her paws wet to about 2", and thought it grand enough!
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I love her little smiles!

(And I shall fix that looming rain gutter as soon as my back permits).
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And yes, Punk found herself tied up for a while...

When we had been in the house there was a new cat out on the front lawn. She damn near had jumped through the window to get to it.

She remained tied until Casey and I determined that the cat was gone.
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For those of you keeping up, or wanting to, this was on the news. Kelli called to tell me to turn the news on tonight
http://www.wbay.com/Global/story.asp?S=10398403
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Picture stolen from TV~26

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Woman Found Dead in Oconto County Fire Was Murdered
Updated: May 20, 2009 04:49 PM
Authorities in Oconto County say a woman found dead in a house fire near Pulaski last week was murdered before the fire was set.

Trust me when I say this, no one wanted to be wrong about my intuitions more than myself. By now you all know that I have a tendency to call a spade a spade...

I also shoot from the hip- (both literally and figuratively).

I know that I have offended at least one of you by stating how I felt about this all before the coroner had released this today. My apologies for that.

As of the 6 o'clock news no one is in custody. Oconto County is notoriously slow or absent with their arrest records, (or at least that was my own experience when my daughter was raped and almost bled to death). Idiots.

Time will tell how they handle her murder, and the arson that followed.

When we have children, we want and choose to raise them in a way that we feel to be safe, secure, and away from the dark-spirited people of the world. Moving from the townhouses in Ashwaubenon to being way out in the country in Pulaski seemed a wonderful relocation for us all, and most especially for my girls.

Things are not always what they seem.

My love to all.

XOXO
Anne

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Posted to Y! 360, Wednesday May 20, 2009 - 09:46pm (CDT)

New Program to Develop Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases

http://www.nih.gov/news/health/may2009/nhgri-20.htm
A rare disease is one that affects fewer than 200,000 Americans. NIH estimates that, in total, more than 6,800 rare diseases afflict more than 25 million Americans. However, effective pharmacologic treatments exist for only about 200 of these illnesses. Many neglected diseases also lack treatments. Unlike rare diseases, however, neglected diseases may be quite common in some parts of the world, especially in developing countries where people cannot afford expensive treatments. Private companies seldom pursue new therapies for these types of illnesses because of high costs and failure rates and the low likelihood of recovering investments or making a profit.


The National Institutes of Health is launching the first integrated, drug development pipeline to produce new treatments for rare and neglected diseases. The $24 million program jumpstarts a trans-NIH initiative called the Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases program, or TRND.

The program is unusual because TRND creates a drug development pipeline within the NIH and is specifically intended to stimulate research collaborations with academic scientists working on rare illnesses. The NIH Office of Rare Diseases Research (ORDR) will oversee the program, and TRND’s laboratory operations will be administered by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), which also operates the NIH Chemical Genomics Center (NCGC), a principal collaborator in TRND. Other NIH components will also participate in the initiative.




"NIH is eager to begin the work to find solutions for millions of our fellow citizens faced with rare or neglected illnesses," said NIH Acting Director Raynard S. Kington, M.D., Ph.D. "The federal government may be the only institution that can take the financial risks needed to jumpstart the development of treatments for these diseases, and NIH clearly has the scientific capability to do the work."



Developing Drugs

The drug development process is complicated and expensive. Studies suggest that it currently takes more than a dozen years and hundreds of millions of dollars to take a potential drug from discovery to the marketplace. And the failure rate is high.

"This initiative is really good news for patients with rare or neglected diseases," said ORDR Director Stephen C. Groft, Pharm.D. "While Congress has previously taken important steps to help these patients, such as providing incentives for drug companies under the Orphan Drug Act, this is the first time NIH is providing support for specific, preclinical research and product development known to be major barriers preventing potential therapies from entering into clinical trials for rare or neglected disorders. While we do not underestimate the difficulty of developing treatments for people with these illnesses, this program provides new hope to many people world-wide."

Typically, drug development begins when academic researchers studying the underlying cause of a disease discover a new molecular target or a chemical that may have a therapeutic effect. Too often, the process gets stuck at the point of discovery because few academic researchers can conduct all the types of studies needed to develop a new drug. If a pharmaceutical company with the resources to further the research does get involved, substantial preclinical work begins with efforts to optimize the chemistry of the potential drug. This involves an iterative series of chemical modifications and tests in progressively more complex systems — from cell cultures to animal tests — to refine the potential medicine for use in people. Only if these stages are successful can a potential treatment move to clinical trials in patients.

Unfortunately, the success rate in this preclinical process is low, with 80 to 90 percent of projects failing in the preclinical phase and never making it to clinical trials. And the costs are high: it takes two to four years of work and $10 million, on average, to move a potential medicine though this preclinical process. Drug developers colloquially call this the "Valley of Death."

TRND will work closely with disease-specific experts on selected projects, leveraging both the in-house scientific capabilities needed to carry out much of the preclinical development work, and contracting out other parts, as scientific opportunities dictate. Its strategies will be similar to approaches taken by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, but TRND will be working on diseases mostly ignored by the private companies. Importantly, TRND will also devote some of its efforts to improving the drug development process itself, creating new approaches to make it faster and less expensive.

If a compound does survive this preclinical stage, TRND will work to find a company willing to test the therapy in patients. There are several stages to the clinical trials process that can take several years before the safety and efficacy of a new drug is determined. FDA will only approve a drug for general use after it passes these trials. The clinical trials process is also expensive, but the failure rate is lower at this stage.

"NIH traditionally invests in basic research, which has produced important discoveries across a wide range of illnesses," said NHGRI Acting Director Alan E. Guttmacher, M.D. "Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies have enormous strength and experience in drug development, but to maximize return-on-investment work primarily on common illnesses. TRND will develop promising treatments for rare diseases to the point that they are sufficiently "de-risked" for pharmaceutical companies, disease-oriented foundations, or others, to undertake the necessary clinical trials. NIH’s goal is to get new medications to people currently without treatment, and thus without hope."

NIH already has many components of the drug development pipeline within its research programs. TRND will begin its work in collaboration with the NIH Chemical Genomics Center (NCGC), a center initially developed as part of the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research. NCGC has developed a robotic, high-throughput screening system and a library of more than 350,000 compounds that it uses to make basic discoveries and probe cellular pathways. NCGC also has developed a team of researchers skilled in developing assays representing disease processes that can be tested in its screening system, and has extensive experience building collaborative projects with investigators from across the research community. Molecules with potential therapeutic properties that emerge from the NCGC screening process could be fed into the TRND drug development pipeline.

"With this new funding, TRND will develop teams of scientists who can do the hard work of optimizing chemicals that we or others discover that may treat rare diseases and turn them into actual drugs," said NCGC Director Christopher P. Austin, M.D., who is also the Senior Advisor for Translational Research to the NHGRI Director. "This will still be hard work and it will take time and produce failures. Unlike traditional drug development, however, where only successes are published, we will publish our failures as well, so everyone in the drug development community can learn from them. That alone could be revolutionary."

If all the preclinical hurdles can be crossed, a possible treatment must still be tested in a series of clinical trials. TRND will seek to take advantage of several NIH resources that can help launch human studies, including the NIH Clinical Center, the NIH Rapid Access to Interventional Development (NIH-RAID), and the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) program.



External Partners

Numerous obstacles impede the development of new drugs for rare and neglected diseases. In addition to the reluctance of private companies to risk their capital on a potentially low return, relatively few basic researchers study rare diseases, so the underlying cause of the illness frequently remains unknown. And, because rare diseases are rare, researchers often have difficulty recruiting enough people with the disorder to participate in a clinical trial once a candidate compound reaches the stage where it can be tested in people. Moreover, for many rare diseases, the natural history of the disease is poorly understood, so researchers lack the needed clinical measures (such as blood pressure) that can demonstrate whether a treatment is working.

To address these difficulties, TRND will seek a wide range of collaborations with academic researchers, as well as partnerships with patient advocacy organizations, disease-oriented foundations and others interested in treatments for particular illnesses. TRND’s leaders hope that the collaborations will help lay the groundwork for clinical trials once that point in drug development is reached.

TRND is currently setting up an oversight process to help it decide which projects that address thousands of rare and neglected diseases will be pursued. Leadership currently envisions a small number of diseases being studied each year, with strict criteria used to determine which molecules will be studied for which diseases. NIH expects to use existing intellectual property policies to transfer licenses for TRND-discovered drugs to private companies or others for development, clinical testing and marketing.

Frequently asked questions about this new program are available online at:

* FAQ on the Therapeutics for Rare or Neglected Diseases (TRND) program: www.genome.gov/27531965
* TRND FAQ on Neglected Diseases: www.genome.gov/27531964
* TRND FAQ on Rare Diseases: www.genome.gov/27531963


Follow this link for full-resolution b-roll clips from the NCGC facility which will be involved in TRND, www.genome.gov/pressDisplay.cfm?photoID=20030


The Office of Rare Diseases Research is one of the programmatic offices in the Office of the Director of the NIH.
For more about ORDR, visit http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/.

The Office of the Director, the central office at NIH, is responsible for setting policy for NIH, which includes 27 Institutes and Centers. This involves planning, managing, and coordinating the programs and activities of all NIH components. The Office of the Director also includes program offices which are responsible for stimulating specific areas of research throughout NIH. Additional information is available at http://www.nih.gov/icd/od/.

The National Human Genome Research Institute is one of the 27 institutes and centers at the NIH, an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services. The NHGRI Division of Intramural Research develops and implements technology to understand, diagnose and treat genomic and genetic diseases. Additional information about NHGRI can be found at its Web site, www.genome.gov.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) — The Nation's Medical Research Agency — includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.

Home and Garden; and The Mella Family!

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I didn't do it.
But I sure am thankful for it!

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Good Morning All;
As I wrote earlier, Jenny Mella and Casey were here all day Saturday. (I swear I could be half~dead and still be able to appreciate these two when they get together).

Jenny had her priorities straight.
First to play with Punk, who has been more than patient with my inability to play with her in a decent dog~pleasing way.
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Then to fill the bird feeder.
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She even shared her sock with the dog too.

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(After hiding Punks squeak ball in it).

Punk was adamant to get that sock off her foot...
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She had fun brushing the dog and the cat too.

Know that Jenny can make fun out of anything;
(I firmly believe our world absolutely needs more people like her).
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After brushing the cat twice, and the dog once,
there is almost another "animal" that came off that brush.

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hehehe

Punk was not too sure what to think of it either.
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She worried, and kept her eye on it until it got thrown away.


Yes. There was so much cleaning that got done.
Especially getting things off the floor.
(Gravity is still my enemy).

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While cleaning under my little computer table, Jenny was attacked by a mouse!
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hehehe.
Too funny!
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After all was done, the kids were completely pooped out.
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hehehe
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They left that evening, Jenny bringing Casey home before coming back out to visit with her own parents. Casey had a bit of pain- generally not an issue any longer, except she had left her pills at home.

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Casey came out yesterday- While we walked a bit, Punk "pointed" to something. Since I have lots of gophers in the back yard, seeing her point was no surprise.
Again, she was of an adamant nature. Casey and I went to see.
A dead red~winged blackbird. It was put to the burn barrel in quick order.

Since Jenny's dad works for the Dept of Natural Resources, Casey called to their house, leaving a message to see if there were any diseases around that we should be concerned about. So last night when my phone rang it was no surprise when Mrs Mella was calling. Mr had said that it was probably a fluke that this bird had died- Sometimes they even wear themselves out with the migration etc.
So I will not worry overmuch about that one.

Mrs also asked if I would like for them to come over and till a bit for me; that maybe Casey might want to plant a few seeds.
Oh what a wonderful offer! Jenny had mentioned to them that I was a bit incapacitated at the moment, and hadn't been able to plant anything.

They were here within minutes!

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Yes he had to go around my little onion patch!
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And he made it look so easy too!
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And oh, the turned Spring soil smell is wonderful!
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A job done perfectly!
I thank you all, again!

This is an awesome family!
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I am itching to be playing and planting in that same soil... But I know I shouldn't do too much yet. My back, though a wee bit improved, still is pretty nasty- (and yes, I did rest).
Lordy, I practically slept on and off all night Saturday, and Sunday too. I just turned the TV on and fell asleep before my programs were even finished. I record my silly shows, so that is no problem for me.

I hope you are all having a grand week!

Rain, maybe, today- And time now for me to get in the shower-

Be back soon!

Love to all.

XOXO
Me

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Posted to my Y! 360, Tuesday May 19, 2009 - 09:29am (CDT)

GROSS!

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW02012.html

"American Mercantile's website says it distributes spices, seeds, botanical extracts, essential oils, natural pigments, sweeteners and related raw materials. FDA seized sarsaparilla, spearmint, cornstarch, sweet orange peels, licorice powder, sassafras and salt in the raid."

FDA: More than $1.5 Million of Adulterated Food, Food Ingredients Seized
Filthy conditions, failure to correct violations prompted action



At the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Marshals today seized more than $1.5 million worth of food products, including herbs and botanicals, stored under filthy conditions at the American Mercantile Corporation of Memphis, Tenn.

During an inspection of American Mercantile in March, FDA investigators discovered evidence of extensive rodent and insect infestation throughout the company’s warehouse. The company failed to correct these problems. Acting on a warrant issued by the United Stated District Court in Memphis, U.S. Marshals seized all FDA-regulated food products exposed to rodent and insect contamination at the facility. The seized products violate the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act because they were held under insanitary conditions under which they may have become contaminated with filth.

“FDA will not tolerate a company’s failure to adequately control and prevent filth in its facility,” said Michael Chappell, the FDA’s acting associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. “The FDA is prepared to use whatever legal means are necessary and appropriate to keep potentially contaminated products out of the marketplace.”

American Mercantile stores and processes food ingredients, which are then sold to and used in the dietary supplement and herbal tea industries. The seized articles include food products, such as sarsaparilla, spearmint leaves, cornstarch, sweet orange peels powder, licorice powder, sassafras, and salt.

The FDA has no reports of illness associated with consumption of the products.


Media Inquiries:
Stephanie Kwisnek, 301-796-4737
Consumer Inquiries:
888-INFO-FDA

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American Mercantile Corporation
General Information:
P.O. Box 240654
Memphis, TN
US United States of America, 38124
Phone: 1-901-454-1900
Fax: 1-901-454-0207
Email: dsa@memphi.net
Web: www.americanmercantile.net


Description:
AMC is a USA based corporartion that has been in business 20 years and handles a wide variety of natural plant products on a worldwide basis, including spices, seeds, herbs, botanicals, extracts and related raw materials. Our Memphis, TN, location is a licensed Pharmaceutical manufacturing facility which includes a high speed fine grinder, knife mill, extract cutter, cleaning and bagging operations. We also have a working relationship with the National Center of Development of Natural Products, a division of The Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Mississippi, School of Pharmacy, University, Mississippi, and we can utilize their services for special research projects.

Visit our web site at www.americanmercantile.net.

Wholesale to the trade only.

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http://www.naturalfoodsmerchandiser.com/tabId/119/itemId/3884/No-warning-letter-in-American-Mercantile-raid-Is.aspx

"US Marshalls acted on behalf of FDA, after two inspections revealed a lack of action on the part of American Mercantile. "During a routine inspection in March, the FDA uncovered evidence of extensive rodent and insect infestation throughout the company's warehouse. A follow-up joint inspection with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture found that the owner failed to clean the facility and did not correct previous violations, despite promising to do so."

Further:
"The FDA would not comment on whether this incidence may lead to further investigations of Ingredients Corporation of America (ICA) and Equine Science, both based in Memphis and owned by American Mercantile."

More...
"In the past American Merchantile certified organic ingredients included Acer spicatum (Mountain Maple Bark), Achillea millefolium (Common Yarrow), Aletris farinosa (Whitetube Stargrass), Aralia racemosa (American Spikenard) and Ilex paraguariensis (Yerba Mate)."


No warning letter in American Mercantile raid. Is this the new FDA?

Seems as though people are upset because there was no warning letter.
When conditions are such that they could pose an immediate threat, well, too bad so sad.

That said a warning letter would only do what? Allow them time to cover this all up and then continue business as usual; possibly poisoning millions of Americans (and their horses too) in the process?

XOXO
Me

On The Farm At The Pryes

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Kittens at The Pryes Farm

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Good Evening Everyone;
A long day for me... "resting".
I am beginning to hate that word. (Especially as I watch my grass wave in the breeze).

A bit of catching up to do. Bear with me, I am a little behind...


Casey came out Thursday afternoon. We took a ride to Brandy and Johns. I had wanted to see her goats for the longest time, and never availed myself.

Brandy is laid off from Carver Boat. She has worked there forever- The layoffs affecting so many people.
(But with that, I knew she would be home).

Miss Ashley met us almost as soon as we'd pulled in. Such a beautiful smile she has, and showed me one of her little bunnies too.

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And yet another bunny!
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They have more than a few!
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As we walked out to the pasture, the animals all came to see us.
(Well, some of them did).
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CUTE!
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Miss Ashley decided to pull a few handfuls of grass and dandelions.

They absolutely LOVED it!

Salad for goats!
Who knew?!?

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Dinner by the handful! hehehe
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The sheep in the back (left) seemed so fat-
I asked Brandy is that one was expecting?
No- She just hadn't been sheared yet.
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Even the cows came to have a peek!
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Isn't that baby goat just 'to~die~for' cute?
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John took a break from mowing the yards and came to chat too.
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Brandy, Casey, Ashley and "The Lawn Boy"
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Even the chickens are very tame!

(A far cry from visiting our Hortonville friends as youngsters,
wreaking havoc in the henhouse as we'd chase their chickens).

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John had just returned from a Veterans vacation/retreat up north at Lake Tomahawk. John is Marine Corps, Vietnam. Salute.

He had many pictures of the cabins and amenities at Tomahawk to share with us.

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Then they brought out "TOES" the kitten.

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He would not hold still for love or money,
But if you look closely you will see his paws are like mittens.
He has extra split toes on each front paw!
So very cute-
And calico too! (My very favorite).
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Brandy took us to show off her pigs.

She has many medium size ones...
(Sorry, but I didn't take pictures of them all).
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And she has a few extra large ones too!
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Mmmmm Anyone hungry yet?
hehehe

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Casey and I came back home; and to add to our day, we found this little guy right in the garage- For some reason, they cannot find their way out, even when the darn door is up. They come in, and think they can fly out the window.
I got out to show him the way...

Casey had her hands full keeping Punk from coming straight through the dashboard to 'save' me as I caught it and brought it outside. (Otherwise we would have a picture of a "bird in the hand"). hehehe

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For some reason, they cannot find their way out, even when the darn door is up. They come in, and think they can fly out the window.

I got out of the car to offer a bit of guidance...

Casey had her hands full keeping Punk from coming straight through the dashboard to 'save' me as I caught it and brought it outside. (Otherwise we would have a picture of a "bird in the hand"). hehehe

For now, I must go find a bit of supper, my tummy is growling to rival the dog!

I hope everyone had a "wunnaful" weekend!

Have a good night
Love to all.

XOXO
Me

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Posted to my Y! 360, Sunday May 17, 2009 - 08:17pm (CDT)