It got really cold last night. When I left for work it was already negative 8, and it was down to around negative 11 without windchill. They said we might get some snow tonight but I have never seen it snow much when it is this cold. (Although I have heard it is never too cold to snow)
One of our bulldog’s, Emma, seems to have come down with hives. She has little bumps all over her sides. Couldn’t find any bugs on her and can only guess that she was allergic to the soap they used on her before she came home from the kennels where she stayed over Christmas. Stella, who stayed with her and also received a bath, doesn’t seem to have been bothered.
The only other thing we can think of is they are from nerves for some reason. She was hiding in the bathroom with the door halfway closed on new years eve before I left for work.
She wouldn’t let my wife touch her very much but did let me scratch them for her for a long time before she finally moved my hand away from her.
We gave her a Benadryl, which probably wasn’t big enough for her size, but hope that it helped her sleep and I will see if I can get her into the Vet today to be checked out.
She is such a good dog, I feel sorry.
We have mice again at work. As most people know, I hate them and I had to deposit one in the trash out of a trap, YUCK. I just know one is going to run up my leg one day while I am at my desk.
~~~~
LIFE IN A CAPSULE
How would you like to spend around $649 a month rent for a space no larger than 6 1/2 feet long by 5 feet wide and not tall enough for even the shortest person to stand up in?
Thats what many who are out of work in Tokyo are doing. It is much cheaper than renting an apartment there but life in a “capsule hotel” can be pretty rough.
The capsules do not have doors, only screens that pull down. Each capsule is furnished only with a light, a small TV with earphones, coat hooks, a thin blanket and a hard pillow of rice husks.
~~~~
AMERICA’S CASTLE
Bannerman’s Castle, an abandoned military surplus warehouse located on Pollepel Island in the middle of the Hudson River, about 50 miles north of New York City, was built in the style of a castle by businessman Francis Bannerman.
Construction started in 1901 and ended in 1918 upon Bannerman’s death. Most of the building were devoted to the stores of army surplus but Bannerman built another castle in a smaller scale on top of the island near the main structure as a residence, often using items from his surplus collection for decorative touches. The castle, clearly visible from the shore of the river, served as a giant advertisement for his business. On the side of the castle facing the eastern bank of the Hudson, Bannerman cast the legend “Bannerman’s Island Arsenal” into the wall.
Bannerman's Island Arsenal
In August 1920, 200 tons of shells and powder exploded in an ancillary structure, destroying a portion of the complex.
Inner Walls & Floors Of The Castle Have All Been Destroyed
The exterior walls still stand, all the internal floors and non-structural walls have since burned down. The island has been the victim of vandalism, trespass, neglect and decay.
On December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2009 parts of Bannerman’s castle collapsed. Officials estimate 30 -40 percent of the structures front wall and about half of the east wall collapsed.
The entire southeast corner of Bannerman’s Castle came down taking with it about 30 percent to 40 percent of the front wall staircase and over 50 percent of the east wall.
For more pictures of Bannerman’s Castle see Mr. Motts pictures here:
~~~~
December was the first month since the beginning of the Iraq war in which there were no reported U.S. combat deaths, there were three noncombat fatalities.
~~~~
Number of Operations Iraq Freedom and Enduring Freedom casualties
as confirmed by U.S. Central Command: 5289
