My Say What Blog Archives - Page 3 of 54

Jul 3rd Pet Safety Tips for the Fourth Of July

Pay Special attention to your pet’s safety on the Fourth of July. Here are a few Pet Safety Tips to keep in mind:

Did you know? More dogs go missing on the 4th of July than any other day of the year. With all the noisy fireworks, loud parties, and distractions, it’s no wonder so many pooches bolt and get lost on Independence Day.

July Fourth is a significant date for Americans across the United States. Celebrated with parties and FIREWORKS. it is imperative pet owners pay special attention to their four-legged friends during the holiday festivities and afterward. Ensure that the information on your pet’s collar is current and make sure your dog is microchipped and/or has a GPS device. If they escape, there’s a better chance they’ll get returned.

Always keep you dogs and cats inside when fireworks are going off to avoid their nature to find a safe haven. Make certain your pets are walked prior to fireworks going off, close all windows and doors. Draw the curtains. Ensure your pets are wearing ID tags, even if in the house, as many animals are expert escape artists. Never leave your dog alone in a vehicle during the celebrations. You can also prepare a den for your pets inside the house with blankets and pillows in a location they will feel safe. There are thunder shirts you can buy for your dog that relieve the stress of thunderstorms and I’m told fireworks too. As far as our pet box turtle, Sammie, she 51 years old, but the fireworks don’t seem to bother her. Since a lot of what she feels come from vibrations though out her world, we make sure she has a den in her house with overhead logs to feel safe. She has lots of experience with this holiday, so she handles it just fine. From time to time we escape the city and take everyone with us for a nice quite mountain Fourth of July. Still we see all the fireworks from afar. But they can’t be heard or felt. a win win for all. Pet Safety Tips – Now let’s talk a bit about companion parrots who have to endure this noisy holiday too. Let me give you an example. Taco and I sit outside in the sunroom every evening after I’ve finished writing for the day during spring, summer, and fall. Over the past week (end of June first of July) the boom of fireworks are prevalent from early revelers. Taco is normally a fearless Eclectus. She’s learned the outside hawks can’t get to her through the glass of the sunroom. Thunder and lightning doesn’t bother her either, she’s been conditioned from an early age to understand there is nothing to fear. Now softball size hail falling is another story and a tale for another time. But, the sudden, unexplained noise from the fireworks has her flying off her perch and cowering on my shoulder. So we have to go inside during this time. Boo Hiss.

First we need to remember pet birds (unlike dogs and cats) are prey animals. They have evolved with their eyes on the side of their head, to enable them to spend long periods of their life looking over their shoulder. Some birds can even see better behind them than in front of them. By nature, birds are neophobic, meaning they naturally want to retreat and avoid anything unfamiliar. By perceiving a new object or sound as a potential threat until proven otherwise, they increase their chances that they won’t end up as someone’s dinner! This means birds and Parrots are constantly evaluating their environment and can become stressed much more easily than you may think. Let’s consider some ways to help our pet birds and Parrot reduce the amount of stress, anxiety and fear they suffer with the loud booms, and sudden light displays. Pet Safety Tips – Suggestions for birds in the home…

Where possible put your feathered companions in a room without any windows.

Alternatively, cover any windows with blankets, to block out those sudden burst of light. Covering the bird’s cage with a thick blanket can help muffle any loud noises, plus it helps make the bird feel more secure. The use of white noise machines or having the TV or radio on a little louder than normal can help drown out the sudden noise of fireworks.

Please note, noise isn’t normally the problem, as Parrots are noisy by themselves, but the sudden sound of an unknown loud noise is what frightens them. If bird(s) don’t live in a cage it may be wise to utilize a travel cage. Even Parrots who have had their wings clipped have been known to fly off when scared which could cause injury! Some pet bird owners have been known to play recordings of random noise, including those of fireworks to their birds – be it in the home or those outside in an aviary before firework season begins. The idea is that they eventually learn that unknown noises won’t harm them.

After the celebrations are over, make sure to check your yard any pick up any debris from the spent fireworks or maybe those that didn’t go off. These are harmful to your pet should they chew or ingest these items! Most importantly in keeping pets safe: NEVER TAKE YOUR PET TO A FIREWORKS DISPLAY! The American Veterinary Medical Association and AKC have more safety tips. Check them out. Have a happy and safe Fourth of July!

Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog, My Say What Blog, Uncategorized and tagged fourth of July, Halloween Pet Safety Tips, Keep Your Pets Safe This Fourth of July by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.

May 2nd M-Bot or BBot – Today’s Technology Snippet

Who remembers when Robocop premiered? I’d completely forgotten about the movie until I read the an article in The Gazette about BBot penned by Katie Rice of Orlando Sentinel this morning. Headline read Robocop BBot (Bringing Bravery Out Together) will ‘walk’ the beat at Florida convention center.

Now this security robot doesn’t look a thing like Robocop. In fact, it’s reminiscent of something out of Star Wars. R2 D2 maybe?

The five-foot-two-inch egg-shaped K5 machine from robotics security company Knightscope arrived at the convention center and will soon clock in for its first shift in early May. The Convention Center is Orlando’s first major tourism business to deploy an autonomous security machine among the public.

BBot is on a one-year trial run that costs about $55,000. The Florida Convention Center could consider expanding its robot fleet, if the pilot program works well.

Isiah White, Security Manager for the venue, emphasized using BBot to assist its human security staff, not replace it. Humans will still patrol the facility along with the robot. They will monitor BBot from the command center and use the robot’s two-way intercom to talk to visitors.

This is the wave of the future.

Robot servers and bussers rolled into Florida’s restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic to entertain customers and cover staff shortages.

Six Flags began piloting security robots from the Robotic Assistance Devices company at two theme parks in Texas and California early last year. Will Orlando theme parks be next? In these examples, research suggests employers recognize automation’s limitations and are using them to assist human workers, not replace them.

Oh, and a robot, MBot is a hit with guests, staff at M Resort in Henderson, NV. M-Bot is a 5-foot, 450-pound robot equipped with 50 cameras and sensors that patrols the property’s exterior.

Colorado, time to catch up. I’ve not seen any type of robotic assistance in the state. How about your state?

Ok, I stand corrected. At the Space Symposium held in Colorado Springs around the 20th of April, Spot a for-legged Boston Dynamic robot, available for commercial purchase, was prancing around an exhibit hall booth. But to my knowledge there are no robots in commerical use in Colorado.

So you can relax. robots are not set to take over the world—yet.

By the way, RoboCop premiered July 17, 1987.

Posted in My Say What Blog and tagged Henderson, l M-Bot BBot, Orlando, Robotic Assistance Devices, Robots, Technology Snippet, Theme parks by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.

Dec 22nd Christmas, My Favorite Things About the Holidays

With the Christmas/holiday season in full swing, Thought I’d mention a few of my favorite things. I love Halloween, it’s by far my favorite holiday and decorate for the All Hallows Eve almost as much as I do for Christmas, which comes in a close second. Did I mention, I LOVE to decorate! LOL At Thanksgiving the aroma of turkey, candied sweet potatoes, stuffing and pumpkin pie made the house smell so inviting. My mouth waters just thinking about it. But Christmas…well… Bright lights adorning neighborhoods, Christmas Carols playing in the malls, and Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays on everyone’s lips makes the holiday season special. Here’s what makes my family’s holiday special. New this year! Jellyfish outdoor lighting. No more climbing on ladders, across the slippery roof, worry about inclement weather when working on outdoor lighting. All programing is done from my smart phone. Love it!

1. Decorations. First of all, we start decorating the Friday after Thanksgiving. First the outside decorations go up. Then the tree, it’s lights, especially the bubble lights they are mesmerizing to watch. Several years ago, I brought the cutest colorful lifesaver shaped garland that I wind up the stairway banister. The tiny Precious Moments nativity is one I found years ago, along with Sam’s town, the soft lights from their windows are my christmas tree parrots night light during the holidays.

2. Food. Christmas is turkey, homemade cranberry sauce, rolls, candied yams and pumpkin pie swirled in whipped cream. Yummmm! The leftovers are even better. Sometimes we freeze the turkey leftovers and weeks or even a month later, yummy turkey sandwiches are wonderful. I’ll be putting one of those sandwiches together for lunch today. Left overs from Thanksgiving. LOL

3. Music. While we decorate the tree, we play a wide variety of Christmas Carols from the traditional to Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer. The carols are sung by rock and roll artists, county western or classical renditions. It has been a family traditional as long as I can remember. We reminisce where the beloved tree decorations passed down generation to generation originated and the funny stories each spark.

4. Movies. It’s officially the Christmas season when we watch Miracle on 31st Street and How the Grinch Stole Christmas with Jim Carey. He is such a hoot. Then its Scrooged with Bill Murray. Afterward most nights we enjoy watching the variety of Christmas movies collected. Yep, get my Christmas movie fix. Then of course there is always the Hallmark channel heart felt Christmas movie magic.
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5. Christmas Light Looking. It isn’t Christmas without getting in the SUV and driving through town admiring everyone’s decorations. Some lighting displays are synchronized with popular holiday music wafting through the crisp night air as you drive by. It’s beautiful and we enjoy it every year with a mug of hot chocolate and Christmas cookies we pack with us for the drive.

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6. Family and Friends. The best part of the holidays is connecting with family and friends, whether it’s a long over-due phone call to catch up or a board game with friends. Years ago, I started writing a Christmas letter with our family’s actives for the year, complete with pictures. Since then it’s become a tradition. Friends and family look forward to that letter and make sure updated address are in my hands by Thanksgiving. There have been scary times, happy times, sad and in-between times, but keeping in touch seems to help everyone weather the preverbal storms. It’s been a rough year for many.

One last favorite thing of mine is to curl up in front of a crackling fireplace with a good book and a mug of homemade hot chocolate. Speaking of good books, have a look at a heartwarming holiday tale with a mysterious twist MERINGUE SNOWFLAKE MAGIC. A witch in the wrong place at the wrong time winds up in witness protection. Relocated to a small town with strange but friendly townsfolk. Their huge Christmas/holiday festival is centered around an annual cookie contest and tree lighting ceremony. Will they learn her secrets that put the town in danger before she discovers theirs? Makes a great Christmas gift for the Paranormal book lovers on your list.

So there you have it, a few of my favorite things along with a gift idea. What are yours favorite things?

With that, I’ll wish you all Love and Laughter. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Got any resolutions? Come on, you know you do. LOL What do you plan to change and what do you hope to see in 2021? I look forward to hearing from you! See you next year. I know it’s an old cliché, but couldn’t help myself!

Posted in My Say What Blog and tagged fantasy, Meringue Snowflake Magic, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, Shapeshifters, Tena Stetler, Witches by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.

Dec 20th Christmas/Holiday Traditions Around the World

Fun things about Christmas/Holiday traditions Around the World. Take for instance, the Land Down Under, because, well, someday I want to visit there, just probably not at Christmas. The English and Irish predominately settled Australia so it stands to reason their traditions reflect those countries. Here’s a few of of their Christmas Traditions.
Aussie’s decorate their homes with ferns, palm leaves and evergreens along with blooming flowers of Christmas Bush and Christmas Bell Flower. It’s summer time in December down under, when most of the United States is looking forward to big flakes and blankets of snow for a white Christmas.
Carols by Candlelight is one of the popular events in Australia. People come together under the stars at night to light candles and sing Christmas carols. Seems to me, it’s not far from our own tradition of Christmas carolers. I just can’t imagine Christmas/holiday without snow, that’s why I live in Colorado. Hehe!
Christmas Day is when families and close friends gather from all over Australia for a holiday midday dinner. Some enjoy a traditional British Christmas dinner of roast turkey or ham and rich plum pudding doused in brandy and set on fire before it is brought to the table. Other families head for the backyard barbie to grill their Christmas dinner, maybe shrimp, in the sunshine or go to the beach and enjoy a picnic of cold turkey or ham and a salad. To the delight of children, Father Christmas in shorts may appear to greet children at the beach on Christmas/holiday! If you can’t have snow, that’s the way to celebrate Christmas.

Because I am of Swedish descent, let’s take a peek at Christmas Traditions in Sweden where in December the days are quite short, the nights long and the ground is usually snow covered. The Christmas/holiday season begins at church on the first Sunday of Advent, which is the fourth Sunday before Christmas. Children use an Advent calendar to keep track of the first day of December until Christmas, just like some of ours do. Each morning, they open a flap in the calendar’s Christmas scene to see the charming picture behind it. This year, I have a Victorian Advent calendar on my computer and enjoy a surprise behind each door daily.
The festivities in Sweden really begin with St. Lucia’s Day, December 13th, a celebration of the patron saint of light. A Christmas market held in the old medieval section of Stockholm is where you can find handmade toys, ornaments, and candy. Sounds fun, doesn’t it? Some people write a special verse to accompany the gift and even seal the package with colorful sealing wax. I have enough trouble with scotch tape and wrapping paper, I can’t imagine what would happen with hot sealing wax. Not a pretty sight, I’m sure. A Christmas tree is selected by the whole family just a day or two before Christmas and decorated, while the delightful aroma of gingerbread cookies in the shape of hearts, stars, or other festive shapes waft through to house. Christmas Eve is when the main feast is eaten. Presents might be brought by Santa (Jultomten) or by gnomes/elves named Tomte or Nissar. Many families set out a sheaf of grain on a pole for hungry birds. My hubby and I always put out special treats for the wild birds in our Aspen grove on Christmas.

As for my family, we put up the tree, Christmas decorations inside and out, the weekend after Thanksgiving. Or try to. No it’s not a real tree, only because I’m allergic. <sigh> We watch Christmas movies throughout December and make candy such as Divinity, Fantasy Fudge and Beaver Dams. What are Beaver Dams, you ask. Well, take a package of butterscotch chips, melt them in a double boiler, stir in half-package of crispy Chow Mein Noodles and one half can of cocktail peanuts. Spoon the concoction onto foil in small mounds and let set. They look like beaver dams hence the name. YUMMY.

This year I’m going, to once again, try my hand at gingerbread cookies. Its become a Christmas Tradition of sorts, an make my family cringe. Why you ask? I haven’t had a lot of luck in previous years getting a good tasting cookie. But last year, thanks to a great recipe, not only did they turn out, but it’s become a beloved tradition now. Goes great with hot chocolate and marshmallows. LOL

Speaking of things that go good with hot chocolate. A heartwarming holiday tale, fits the bill! I’ve got just the one for you AND it’s on sale #99cents. A WITCH’S HOLIDAY WEDDING. A small town paranormal romance/mystery paired with hope of wildlife rescue, second chances, the magic of family & friends make this a must read. Check out my other paranormal romance/mysteries here!

Next week My Favorite Things About Christmas. What Christmas or holiday traditions do and your family observe during the month of December? I look forward to hearing from you. I’d love for you to tell me about your traditions in the comments!

Posted in My Say What Blog and tagged A Witch's Holiday Wedding, Holiday, Holiday Traditions Around the World, Paranormal Romance/Mystery, Shapeshifters, Tena Stetler by Tena Stetler with 7 comments.