Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Scrutiny of older drivers may cut deaths but loss of independence can be painful
Scrutiny of older drivers may cut deaths but loss of independence can be painful: "My family's dilemma -- whether and how to intervene when a potentially dangerous elderly driver, often a parent, refuses to hang up the keys -- 'is happening all across the United States in families up and down the streets every day,' said Elinor Ginzler, a senior vice president of AARP. 'It's a huge issue.'"
Monday, August 09, 2010
Social Security approaches its 75th anniversary - Politics AP - MiamiHerald.com
Social Security approaches its 75th anniversary - Politics AP - MiamiHerald.com: "They remember the difficult years when old age took place in a bleak, Dickensian landscape of need dotted with poor houses for those whose families couldn't support them. And they remember the difference that Social Security made in ordinary people's lives.
They also remember their parents' fears that Social Security amounted to socialism. Yet on the edge of the program's 75th anniversary, most of them can't imagine retirement without the small cushion of funds and dignity that Social Security provides."
They also remember their parents' fears that Social Security amounted to socialism. Yet on the edge of the program's 75th anniversary, most of them can't imagine retirement without the small cushion of funds and dignity that Social Security provides."
An ocean on the slide could hurt us badly | OregonLive.com
Sunday, August 08, 2010
The Reedsport Elk Herd by r. thomas (LVH resident)
On the trip were Jacky Thomas, Ginger Stout, Bev Garvey and me (Ron Thomas). Ever since the four of us went to see the Lion King in Portland we have become good riding buddies. The conversations swirling about the cabin jumped from the ribald to reminiscences of times long past and experiences of growing up in a era much different from today. The elk as expected were not in the elk viewing area.
Once you get to the viewing area about 5 miles east of Reedsport you will see a nicely constructed area with (the ever important) restrooms sprinkled liberally throughout the roadside park. What you usually will not see are the elk! Yet signs proclaim that this nice park is the elk viewing area. For years we have turned back several times in disappointment that there were no elk to view. Then one day by accident we drove east for an adventure. Viola! Just a quarter mile east of the Elk viewing area was the elk herd. It seems that the grass is greener there... Somebody has to be watering it and that is what makes an elk happy. Since that discovery we have always seen elk on this trip.
On the way home we decided to show our friends Winchester Bay because it was such a beautiful camping area. What happened to it? It had changed from its normal serene beauty to an ocean of campers and four tracks with a sprinkling of dune buggies zipping up and down the road shoulder like a swarm of annoying bumble bees. We turned around and started home but Bev spotted a bakery next to 101 and 3 of us went in to case the joint. I bought a big shepard loaf of Jalapeño/Cheddar bread and Bev bought some cheese... Lunch! Pretty darn good.
The chatter continued as the scenery passed by until we got to Florence and a drive through Old Towne was in order... It was packed. Then over the cliff drive to Yachats were we did the van Exodus scenario at a local Mexican bistro/restaurant where the terrible service and overpriced cuisine was only matched by the 4 thumbs down fare. That aside, returning home we saw a NOAA ship parked at its birth and all the new NOAA 2 story buildings have their walls up.
Social Security: The myth of the Social Security system's financial shortfall - latimes.com
Social Security: The myth of the Social Security system's financial shortfall - latimes.com: "So all the whining you hear about how redeeming the trust fund will require a tax hike we can't afford is simply the sound of wealthy taxpayers trying to skip out on a bill about to come due. The next time someone tells you the trust fund is full of worthless IOUs, try to guess what tax bracket he's in."
Friday, August 06, 2010
Cancer cells feed on fructose, study finds - Health - Cancer - msnbc.com
Cancer cells feed on fructose, study finds - Health - Cancer - msnbc.com: "Heaney said his team found otherwise. They grew pancreatic cancer cells in lab dishes and fed them both glucose and fructose.
Tumor cells thrive on sugar but they used the fructose to proliferate. 'Importantly, fructose and glucose metabolism are quite different,' Heaney's team wrote."
Tumor cells thrive on sugar but they used the fructose to proliferate. 'Importantly, fructose and glucose metabolism are quite different,' Heaney's team wrote."
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
On a drive
That of course would not take us to the wonders of the back roads and the scenic beauty we wanted to explore. Triple A (AAA) let us down a bit too. Their map was not accurate and the printing was to small to read even with glasses. Being lost is the best part of the drive though. So, we continued on and finally were unlost near Mt. Jefferson at the intersection of National Forest Road 11 and Oregon Hwy. 22.
From the beginning we took the 34 toward Lebanon and then turned onto the 20 where we drove along a reservoir Lake for a few miles and then the map showed we could cross to the other side of the lake and continue on a road marked as paved in blue at Green Peter Lake and so we did. What a nice lake. A funny name though, don't you think? Kind of makes you wonder if you are a boy and go for a dip... would your parts turn... well... green?
The blue road on the map deteriorated into a narrow, windy road called NF11. Here we saw something I haven't seen since I was a kid. People were camped out along side the road anywhere there was a wide spot. No campground, no fees, you just pull along side the road and put up a tent... Viola! You are camping 1940-1950 style. Most everyone had campfire rings made from rock circles... The men all had big bellies and shorts. The ladies were pretty stocky in bathing suits and none of them seemed to care a whit about what people thought. They were having a good time and the kids were running and swimming and having a high old time.
We continued on NF 11 and I shut the voice off the GPS so the lady in there could have a "time out" before she popped a blood vessel. Eventually, at a higher elevation she was able to get her bearings and tell us where we were. She sounded a bit hoarse to me... Serves her right. Meanwhile, the Green Peter lake changed to a river and the road narrowed to a single paved lane with turnouts here and there and more roadside campers. Eventually, we were next to a creek as the road wound higher into the forest.
You could see Jacky was becoming anxious as there was not so much as a house or power line for 50 miles and the road got narrower. Some idiot motorcycle rider came around a curve at high speed in the middle of the road... Good thing Jacky was cruising below 25mph or we would have sent him to whatever place he goes after he departs earth... He wobbled all over and Jacky braked hard... Lucky rider, that one. We drove away from the creek and crested the summit where Mt. Jefferson hove into view and we were not quite as lost.. The GPS started doing its thing as if it had not been stupid and lost. Now we found ourselves about 12 down, hill miles from hwy 22. The road began widening again and a centerline appeared... a small stream meandered along 22 as we headed north toward Detroit Lake.. The road was a pleasant drive and the stream turned into a river... The Santiam, I think. From here to Albany the GPS lady took us over back road short cuts that wound through hills and farm land. A very nice drive.
Roads drawn blue on a triple A map are paved but size and windiness are not shown.
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Boeing Team Designs SUGAR Volt Aircraft that Burn 70% Less Fuel | Inhabitat - Green Design Will Save the World
Boeing Team Designs SUGAR Volt Aircraft that Burn 70% Less Fuel | Inhabitat - Green Design Will Save the World: "The N 3 program told MIT, GE Aviation, Northrop Grumman, Boeing and their teammates to look into the future of air travel. Each team has been given either the task of looking at subsonic or supersonic commercial air travel�(yes, we’re stoked about�supersonic commercial flights in the future too) and Boeing was given the task of looking at both. Their SUGAR Volt concept decreases aircraft fuel burn by more than 70 percent and total energy use by 55 percent — partially by “greening” the plane’s electrical grid — while reducing emissions heavily over the life of the craft." 
CTV Winnipeg- Solar storms could bring northern lights to south - CTV News
CTV Winnipeg- Solar storms could bring northern lights to south - CTV News: "'We've got a 50-50 chance that as those particles rain down into our atmosphere, they will trigger extensive aurora borealis -- the northern lights -- all across the northern hemisphere from about Toronto's latitude and further north,' Delaney told CTV News Channel during an interview in Toronto on Tuesday morning."
Sunday, August 01, 2010
Hummingbird rescue: Nursing injured, baby hummingbirds is a fast-paced labor of love - latimes.com
Hummingbird rescue: Nursing injured, baby hummingbirds is a fast-paced labor of love - latimes.com: "They're kidnapped by children or captured by cats.
They're cut down by tree trimmers or toppled by winds.
Some fly into walls or windows, while others see their parents injured in territorial feuds."
Friday, July 30, 2010
Bald eagles and pelicans munch on Oregon Coast bird | KVAL CBS 13 - News, Weather and Sports - Eugene, OR - Eugene, Oregon | Fishing/Hunting
Thursday, July 29, 2010
News about CPR
'We feel comfortable saying chest compressions alone, when performed by a layperson, will provide at least the benefit that conventional CPR, with rescue breathing, will provide," researcher Thomas D. Rea, MD, medical director for King County, Wash., Medic One, tells WebMD.
Deadliest catch now safest catch?
While at the Fireworks in Toledo we saw this ship (The Kiska) and my daughter, Petrea sent this article along..
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
New Look for our site
We have been making changes to the website. Updating and changing the format. Hope you like what you see. 
RT
Monday, July 26, 2010
Toledo Fireworks
Boy Howdy!
The Toledo, Oregon fireworks outdid last year, just as they do every year. We were all bundled up in coats and blankets except Carmen Dean who was mummified in one of those Snuggie things you see on TV. We could see two little eyes and a nose peaking out that was it. My family was there and the typical , "Awesome!" and oooo ahhhs were going on all around
Sunday, July 25, 2010
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